STRUCTURAL, MORPHOLOGICAL AND MAGNETIC STUDIES OF α-Fe2O3 MILLED POWDERS

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles exhibit unique nanoscale properties and their utilization for various magnetic systems is of
significant interest. Hematite (α- Fe2O3) is the most stable iron oxide used for catalysts, electrodes, gas sensors, and photo
catalytic and anticorrosion protective paints. In the present experimental work α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles were synthesized by
ball milling process of α-Fe2O3 and milled for different time intervals and were annealed at 1000o C for 3 hours. The
samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The
structural analysis revealed rhombohedral structure of the samples. The SEM micrographs of as cast and annealed sample
revealed plate like structure of particles having variuos sizes ranging from 19 µm to 146 µm. The magnetic studies of the
samples showed a linear relationship between grain size and coercivity indicating a strong ferromagnetic behavior of the
samples.