Growth and characterization of iron oxide nanorods/nanobelts prepared by a simple iron-water reaction.

Single-crystalline hexagonal alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanorods/nanobelts have been created by a simple iron-water reaction in the low-temperature range of 350-450 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy examination shows that the needle-like products, radiating from and perpendicular to the original large iron particle surfaces, are up to a few micrometers in length with an average diameter from 20 nm (tip) to 100 nm (base). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy reveal that the outermost surface of the nanorods consists of Fe(2)O(3) without organic impurity contaminants, which could possibly result from other methods, such as hydrothermal growth. Nanobelt-like structures are believed to result from a combination of increased reaction temperature and time. The initial formation and subsequent growth of alpha-Fe(2)O(3) nanorods may be explained by the iron metal corrosion mechanism.