A new precursor for preparation of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles

An anionic Fe(II) complex, (BMIM)4[Fe(CN)6] (where BMIM is 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium), was synthesized in ionic liquid [BMIM][PF6] under reflux condition. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were prepared by the hydrothermal and solvothermal (in ionic liquid [BMIM][PF6]) methods from (BMIM)4[Fe(CN)6] as a precursor. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the preparation of magnetite using the solvothermal method in [BMIM][PF6] has more advantages such as smaller size and high purity.