One-dimensional iron oxides nanostructures

Iron oxides, including α-Fe₂O₃, γ-Fe ₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, etc. are one of the most widely investigated materials for their fundamental properties and potential applications. One-dimensional (1-D) iron oxides nanostructures are the focus of recent research activities because of their wide applications in magnetic refrigeration, information storage, electronics, catalysts, Li-ion battery, pigment, gas sensors, etc. This review covers the recent progress in the synthesis, properties and applications of 1-D iron oxides nanostructures. The paper begins with the introduction to 1-D iron oxides nanostructures, followed by the typical synthetic methods developed for the synthesis of 1-D iron oxides nanostructures. Then, the typical 1-D iron oxides nanostructures, including nanowires/nanorods, nanotubes, nanobelts, nanochains, and special 3-D structures built on 1-D building blocks, are introduced in detail. The properties of 1-D iron oxides nanostructures are then discussed, focusing on the magnetic, gas sensing, and electrochemical and photocatalytic properties. Finally, we draw conclusions and look at the prospects of 1-D iron oxides nanostructures.