Synthesis of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles and analyzing the effect of annealing temperature on its properties

α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation technique using ferric and ferrous salts and potassium hydroxide as precipitation agents. The samples were calcined at 350 °C, 550 °C and 750 °C for 3 hours. The obtained iron oxide was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Crystallinity of the sample was studied by X-ray diffraction. SEM micrographs showed nonuniform size distribution of the particles forming agglomerates. TGA analysis revealed trace amount of weight loss and material stability for the samples calcined at temperatures above 500 °C. DLS results indicated that increasing of annealing temperature resulted in reduction of the particle size and more uniform size distribution. At the maximum annealing temperature of 750 °C, the mean diameter of the particles of 100 nm was observed.