Shape and Size-Dependent Magnetic Properties of Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Piperidine

In this article, we proposed a facile one-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes by co-precipitation of FeCl₂ with piperidine. A careful investigation of TEM micrographs shows that the shape and size of nanoparticles can be tuned by varying the molarity of piperidine. XRD patterns match the standard phase of the spinal structure of Fe₃O₄ which confirms the formation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that molar concentration of FeCl₂ solution plays a significant role in determining the shape and size of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Changes in the shape and sizes of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles which are influenced by the molar concentration of FeCl₂ can easily be explained with the help of surface free energy minimization principle. Further, to study the magnetic behavior of synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, magnetization vs. magnetic field (M-H) and magnetization vs. temperature (M-T) measurements were carried out by using Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). These results show systematic changes in various magnetic parameters like remanent magnetization (Mr), saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc), and blocking temperature (T _B) with shapes and sizes of Fe₃O₄. These variations of magnetic properties of different shaped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can be explained with surface effect and finite size effect.