Synthesis and magnetic properties of hollow α-Fe₂O ₃ nanospheres templated by carbon nanospheres

Hollow α-Fe₂O₃ nanospheres were synthesized by using novel carbon spheres as templates. By carefully controlling the fundamental experimental parameters, porous nanospheres with diameters of 60-80 nm and nanojujubes with diameters of 80-100 nm have been efficiently obtained, respectively. The growth mechanism and magnetic properties are also discussed in detail. The coercivity values of the hollow α-Fe₂O₃ nanospheres and nanojujubes are much higher than those of other α-Fe ₂O₃ nanomaterials. Due to the unique morphology with cavum and porous wall, the ferromagnetic nanospheres could be promising candidates as a magnetic carrier for drug targeting.