One-step synthesis of FeO(OH) nanoparticles by electric explosion of iron wire underwater

In this study, we investigated electric explosion of iron wire in distilled water with different energy input adjusted by charging voltage. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showing the presence of iron and multiple iron-based compounds oxides with contents influenced by the experimental conditions. In particular, pure FeO(OH) nanoparticles were obtained using electric explosion of iron wire with energy input of 1125 J at charging voltage of 15 kV. Analysis of discharge current and resistive voltage data indicate that the high energy input induced by strong plasma discharge at high charging voltage is a key factor to form FeO(OH). This study presents a one-step method to synthesize FeO(OH) nanoparticles using electric explosion of iron wire.