Review on the Elaboration and Morfo-Structural Characterization of Iron Oxide for Catalytic Applications

Abstract

Magnetite, Fe₃O₄ exhibits the strongest magnetism of transition metal oxides. Hematite, α-Fe₂O₃ being the most stable oxide and semiconductor type n under environmental conditions, can be widely used in catalysts, pigments and gas sensors. Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃) with superparamagnetic properties and low toxicity, are particularly useful for catalytic applications especially in the medical field. For these applications, the Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles are usually smaller than 20 nm, where they have superparamagnetic properties, i.e. a high magnetic saturation moment and almost zero coercivity. This review presents the theoretical concepts of the structure properties of this oxide and the elaboration methods that make iron oxide the ideal candidate for catalytic applications.