27 and 0.25 nm (Figure 4b), consistent with the XRD results. The inset in Figure 4a shows the SAED pattern taken from the marked part, which can be indexed to a rhombohedral hexagonal phase (space group ) with lattice constants a = 0.5035 nm and c = 1.3747
nm. Figure LY2606368 supplier 4 Image of a single sphere. (a) TEM image and (b) HRTEM image. Inset shows the corresponding SAED image from the marked part in (a). Moreover, the influence of reaction temperature on the product was investigated. Temperature plays a crucial role in the formation of well-defined spherical product. For example, keeping other experimental conditions the same with the typical synthesis when the temperature was reduced from 120°C to 80°C, significant morphology change was observed, which is shown in Figure 5. At 80°C, the obtained product was a nanorod (Figure 5a, b), which was FeOOH, similar to the previous work [22]. When the temperature was 100°C, the nanospheres were obtained (Figure 5c, d). However, under careful survey, we could find that the nanospheres were composed of many FeOOH nanorods. Increasing the reaction temperature to 120°C, the morphologies of the product (Figure 5e, f)
were almost the same with the product in the typical synthesis except the inferior perfection. Figure 5 SEM and TEM images of the products obtained at different reaction temperatures. (a-b) 80°C, (c-d) 100°C, (e-f) 120°C. Other conditions were the buy Erastin same as those in the typical synthesis. Conclusions In conclusion, we have successfully prepared α-Fe2O3 nanospheres by solvothermal method using 2-butanone and water mixture
solvent for the first time, which are about 100 nm in diameter and are composed of very small Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The temperature takes an important influence on the formation of the α-Fe2O3 nanospheres. The as-fabricated α-Fe2O3 nanospheres are expected to be applied in nanocatalysts, nanosensors, and lithium-ion secondary batteries. Authors’ information Interleukin-3 receptor CW got his PhD degree in 2012. He has devoted his effort in the research of two- and three-dimensional new materials for several years. His research interests focused on the fabrication and TPCA-1 cell line application of two and three-dimensional new materials. He has published his works in several important international journals. KT has main interest in superconductivity with high-temperature superconductors. YC mainly researches the preparation of new catalysts. Acknowledgments This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos.: 91022033, 21171158, and 50903018) and the Foundation of Anhui Educational Committee (grant no.: KJ2012A217). References 1. Huo LH, Li W, Lu L, Cui HN, Xi SQ, Wang J, Zhao B, Shen YC, Lu ZH: Preparation, structure, and properties of three-dimensional ordered α-Fe2O3 nanoparticulate film. Chem Mater 2000, 12:790–794.CrossRef 2.