Gas-Phase Flame Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Use in a Health Effects Study

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles, to be used in a health effects study, were synthesized in a H₂/air diffusion flame and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface area measurement, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a spectrophotometric speciation method. The nanoparticles exhibited the maghemite (γ -Fe₂O₃) crystal structure and contained only trivalent iron. There were two size modes in the particles. The large size mode contained crystalline, non-agglomerated particles with a median diameter of approximately 45 nm; the small size mode contained particles that were in the size range of 3–8 nm and were mostly amorphous. Depending on the value taken for the small particle size, the small mode accounted for 73–82% of the particle surface area. The particles in the small size mode were likely formed from the vapor of FeO and Fe.