Microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe3O4 nanorods and nanowires in an ionic liquid

Without using inert gas to prevent the oxidation of Fe²⁺, Fe₃O₄ nanorods and nanowires have been successfully synthesized via a microwave-assisted ionic liquid method (MAIL). Compared to the traditional methods, the whole reaction process can be carried out more easily and faster. Our result shows that temperature and time of microwave heat played important roles in the formation of Fe₃O₄ with different morphologies. These products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and FT-IR spectra.