Investigation of structural and microstructural properties of hematite synthesized in the presence of oleic acid

In the present work, we report the structural and microstructural properties of hematite (α-Fe2O3) synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Oleic acid was used as a surfactant in the synthesis process to reduce the agglomeration. Prepared hematite samples were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, DLS and UV-VIS spectroscopic measurements. FTIR analysis of α-Fe2O3 shows the presence of Fe-O bands in the wavenumber range of 400 to 750cm-1. X-ray diffraction analysis of hematite powder prepared without oleic acid confirms the formation of the pure phase of α-Fe2O3. SEM image reveals that the formation of spherical particles with an average size < 200nm and it is in a good agreement with particle size distribution observed from Dynamic Light Scattering. A UV-Vis spectroscopic result shows strong absorption in the UV region and weak absorption in the visible region.