Structural and magnetic properties of phase controlled iron oxide rods

Iron oxide rods are synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron (II) acetate at 700 °C. The X-ray powder diffraction measurement confirms the hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) phase of iron oxide. We observed that the Morin transition depends on applied magnetic field and shift towards lower temperature with increase in applied magnetic field. The Morin temperature at applied field of 500 and 2000 Oe is observed to be 261.1 and 260.3 K respectively. Magnetization versus magnetic field measurements confirms the antiferromagnetic behavior below Morin transition and weak ferromagnetic behavior above Morin transition.