Abstract
Single-crystalline alpha-Fe2O3 with a micro-snowflake-like morphology has been synthesized though a hydrothermal reaction in a K-3[Fe(CN)(6)] solution without the assistance of any template or surfactant The morphology and structure of the synthesized hematite were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy A possible growth process of alpha-Fe2O3 crystals has been proposed, and NaOH plays a crucial role in the formation of the snowflake-like structure Additionally, magnetic investigations show that the alpha-Fe2O3 crystals exhibit a weakly ferromagnetic property at room temperature with a coercive force of 134 Oe and remnant magnetization of 067 emu g(-1) (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved.