Nanometer-sized 𝛼-Fe₂O₃ particles have been prepared by a simple solvothermal method using ferric acetylacetonate as a precursor. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and thermal analysis (TG–DTA). XRD indicates that the product is single-phase 𝛼-Fe₂O₃ with rhombohedral structure. Bundles of acicular shaped nanoparticles are seen in TEM images with an aspect ratio ∼ 12; typically 8–12 nm wide and over 150 nm long. The 𝛼-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles posses a high thermal stability, as observed on thermal analysis traces.

The barium ferrite particles were prepared using a self-propagating low-temperature combustion method using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a fuel. The process was investigated with simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The crystalline structure, morphology and the magnetic properties of the barium ferrite particles were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and SQUID susceptometer. The results show that the ignition temperature of PEG is lower compared with other combustion methods and gives nanocrystalline barium ferrite.

The self-propagating low-temperature combustion method was used to produce nanocrystalline particles of zinc ferrite. The products were characterized for chemical and phase composition, morphology and magnetic properties. The results obtained showed the formation of single-phase zinc ferrite nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 40 nm. As-synthesized powder displayed good magnetic property. Due to the simplicity and low cost of this process, it could also become a valuable starting point for the generation of other mixed and complex ferrites.