Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and its Application for Oil Water Separation

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles have been explored extensively for their applications in day to day life. Among their various uses like magnetic data storage and biomedical applications, they have remained a field of interest for researchers. The well known magnetic nanoparticles are iron oxide nanoparticles. In this work, iron oxide nanoparticles are prepared by self sustained combustion technique. Ferric nitrate (Fe (NO3)3.9H2O) was used as a precursor and ethylene glycol as a fuel. Solution was heated at 120°C. After being preheated to the boiling point of ethylene glycol and its evaporation, the solution self-ignites and the temperature rises rapidly to values as high as 1500°C. Magnetic properties of Fe2O3 are studied using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic properties are utilized for separation of oil from oil-water mixture.