The preparation methods of magnetite nanoparticles and their morphology

Magnetite nanoparticles have been intensively concerned and researched in recent years due to their special properties in chemistry and physics and future applications in biology and medicine. More and more attentions have been paid to preparation methods as well as morphologic manipulation of magnetite nanoparticles since the characters and applications of magnetite nanoparticles are usually decided by their preparation method and shape. In this paper, preparation methods of magnetite nanoparticles are summarized, including DC arc plasma method, thermal decomposition mediod, ball milling method, co-precipitation method, hydrothermal method, sol-gel method, electrochemical process, micro-emulsion, template method and so on. The current work of authors in preparing magnetite nanoparticles with various morphologies such as octahedron, foursquare and polyhedron is presented. Such magnetite nanoparticles with novel octahedral shapes was synthesized and reported by authors for the first time, so did the foursquare and polyhedral magnetite nanoparticles. The development trends of methods of preparing magnetite nanoparticles are also discussed.