A new combustion route for the synthesis of 𝛾-Fe₂O₃ is reported by employing purified 𝛼-Fe₂O₃ as aprecursor in the present investigation. This synthesis which is similar to a self propagation combustion reaction, involves fewer steps, a shorter overall processing time, is a low energy reaction without the need of any explosives, and also the reaction is completed in a single step yielding magnetic iron oxide i.e. 𝛾-Fe₂O₃. The as synthesized 𝛾-Fe₂O₃ is characterized employing thermal, XRD, SEM, magnetic hysteresis, and density measurements. The effect of ball-milling on magnetic properties is also presented.

This paper reports the electrical and spectroscopic investigation of the gamma ferrite synthesized through combustion route. The electrical study and dielectric behaviour showed a typical ferrite nature for the samples. The $\gamma \rightarrow \alpha $ transition is observed from the electrical conductivity data. Infrared spectral study showed the transition of a typical ferrite. The effect of the presence of 𝛼-impurities in 𝛾-Fe₂O₃ is also explained here.