Synthesis and magnetic properties of Fe2O3–TiO2 nano-composite particles using pulsed laser gas phase evaporation–liquid phase collecting method

Fe2O3–TiO2 nano-composite particles were synthesized by a new method: pulsed laser gas phase evaporation–liquid phase collection. The targets are mixtures composed of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% content micron-sized Fe2O3 powders each also mixed with micron-sized TiO2 powder. The morphology, structure, magnetic properties and synthesis mechanism of the samples were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, vibration magnetometer and other techniques. The results indicate that the Fe2O3–TiO2 nano-composite particles prepared with this new method are spherical, diameters of the primary particles range from 20 nm to 50 nm, and the particles have a tendency to form chain connections. All of the Fe2O3–TiO2 nano-composite particles contain TiO2 and Fe2O3 phases of both rutile and anatase crystal structures. With the addition of Fe2O3 content the magnetic saturation intensity and the coercivity both increase and the magnetic properties are obviously improved, the composite Fe2O3–TiO2 nanoparticles have added magnetic recovery functionality.