Effect of Ru3+ ions on the formation, structural, magnetic and optical properties of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanorods

Nanosized hematite (α-Fe2O3) is a widely investigated material due to its favourable properties (chemically stable, environmentally safe, inexpensive) and very good performance in several advanced applications. Properties and performance of hematite nanoparticles can be adjusted and improved by modification of particle size and shape, as well as by substitution of Fe3+ ions in the crystal structure of hematite with other metal ions. Ru3+ ions are potentially suitable metal ions for the substitution of Fe3+ ions in hematite because of the same charge and similar ionic radii. In the present work, the effects of Ru3+ ions on the formation and properties of hematite nanorods prepared by combination of hydrothermal precipitation and calcination were investigated. The influence of the molar fraction of Ru3+ ions in the hydrothermal precipitation system on the formation and properties of iron oxide phases was studied. Single-phase goethite (α-FeOOH) nanorods containing incorporated Ru3+ ions were formed in the presence of low levels of Ru3+ ions (