I Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis and CharacterizationIron Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

A green synthesis route was employed to produce iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs), utilizing ethanolic extracts from Phoenix dactylifera L. leaves, a natural source of polyphenols, and an aqueous 0.04 M FeCl₃ solution as the iron precursor. The synthesized mixture underwent annealing at 500 °C for 3 hours. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, SEM, UV-Vis, and FTIR. XRD analysis indicated the formation of maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), and β-Fe₂O₃ phases. SEM imaging confirmed their spherical shape, UV-Vis spectroscopy determined a band gap of 2.148 eV, and FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of Fe-O bonds.Keywords— Nickel oxide, Thin films, Spray pyrolysis, Optical gap energy, Monocrystalline structure.