Facile large-scale synthesis of monodisperse Fe nanoparticles by modest-temperature decomposition of iron carbonyl

A facile synthesis method for monodisperse Fe nanoparticles has been developed by the injection of iron carbonyl into kerosene at a modest temperature, typically 180 °C. By controlling the reaction time, the molar ratio of surfactants to Fe (CO)5, and the Fe (CO)5 concentration in kerosene, 3-12 nm monodisperse Fe nanoparticles were prepared. The size distribution is very narrow and any size-selective treatment is not required even when several grams of Fe nanoparticles are synthesized in one pot. Magnetic measurements reveal that the saturation magnetization (Ms) of the 9.3 nm Fe nanoparticles is always over 150 emug at room temperature.