The formation ofa–Fe2O3monodispersed particles in solution

Abstract

Uniform α–Fe2O3particles of varying axial ratios have been prepared from hydrolyzed ferric chloride solutions at 100 °C. In the absence of phosphate anions, spherical particles were obtained by a mechanism that follows the classical LaMer and Dinegar scheme. However, in the presence of phosphates ellipsoidal particles were observed, with their formation taking place through an aggregation process from smaller primary particles of α–Fe2O3. It is also shown that all particles are monocrystalline irrespective of their formation mechanism.