Liquid Phase Synthesis of Nanostructured Spinel Ferrites-A Review

Nanostructured spinel ferrites with formula M2+Fe2O4 (where M2+ = Fe, Co, Mn, Ni, Zn, etc.) represent a class of magnetic materials widely employed in different research fields, due to the possibility of finely tuning the magnetic properties by changing the chemical composition, size, shape, capping agents, etc. Herein, a review of the most common chemical synthesis in liquid media, distinguishing among aqueous and non-aqueous routes, is presented. The experimental procedure together with the mechanism, advantages and disadvantages, and examples are illustrated for each synthetic strategy.