Aging of magnetite nanoparticles in aqueous solutions of differing pH

The structure and magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles that have been aged in aqueous solutions of different pH for various time periods have been investigated. Aqueous aging results in particle transformations, where the products have different structural and magnetic properties to those of the starting material. It was found that aging in acidic solutions sees a greater decrease in saturation magnetization, crystallinity, stability and particle shape and size monodispersity than those oxidized in neutral and alkaline solutions.