Reducing size-dispersion in one-pot aqueous synthesis of maghemite nanoparticles

Nanosized maghemite-like particles with reduced size-distribution were obtained using a one-pot synthesis route in aqueous medium. Forced hydrolysis of iron ions in ammoniac solution led to the formation of magnetite nanoparticles that were oxidized to maghemite in a hydrothermal digestion step that reduced the polydispersity of nanograins. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffractometry, magnetization, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements. Data showed that 14 nm-sized particles with polydispersity of about 0.14 were produced and, differently from other procedures, neither additional steps nor toxic reagents were needed to reduce size-dispersion or to oxidize magnetite to maghemite. These facts per se turn such nanodevice into a good potential choice for biomedical applications.