Microwave-assisted synthesis of magnetite nanosheets in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and water

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanosheets have been prepared by a simple microwave heating method using ferrous sulfate and sodium hydroxide in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and water. Fe3O4 nanosheets were obtained by the oxidation of the deep green precursor with the sheet morphology in an alkaline solution. Our experiments show that iron salt, the ratio of OH- to iron ions and the heating method have effects on the morphology or crystalline phase of (FeO4)-O-3. Both (FeO4)-O-3 nanosheets and nanoparticles exhibit a small hysteresis loop at room temperature. The saturation magnetization of (FeO4)-O-3 nanosheets is smaller than that of (FeO4)-O-3 nanoparticles.