Performance Tuned, Ultra-High Surface Area Fe2O3


1. More Surface Area than Commercial Fe2O3 Nanopowders
TODAY'S COMMERCIAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE Fe2O3 nanopowders offer unremarkable surface areas ranging from 21-50 m2/gram. Industry Giant Sigma Aldrich adheres to the 50 m2/gram baseline for its lower-range surface area #, but its (disproportionately high) upper-range surface area # (245 m2/gram) can only be attributed to uncontrollable manufacturing fluctuations that generate +400% surface area variances.



2. What is Performance Tuning + Why it Matters
PERFORMANCE TUNING refers to recalibrating a single synthesis process's settings to generate multiple sets of particle grain size + surface area combinations. Being able to tailor a particle to the product or application in which it is being used is arguably the most finite form of engineering.

Two examples of applications where grain size + surface area matter: water pollution remediation + pyrotechnics. LARGER Grain Sizes could be produced for applications where larger Fe2O3 grain sizes are preferable (like water pollution applications, where larger grains take longer to dissolve hence extending product life). SMALLER Grain Sizes could likewise be produced for applications where smaller grain sizes are preferable (like nanothermite, where smaller grain sizes translate into faster ignition + subsequent catalytic reactivity).



3. Today's Popular "One-Size-Fits-All" Fe2O3 Options
Amazon's Choice
Google Sponsored
SkySpring Nano
Sigma Aldrich
Characterized by Unlisted or Unremarkable Surface Areas + Unstable Manufacturing QC
Surface Area = NOT LISTED
Particle Size = +/- 25,000nm
Amazon Link

Surface Area = 21 m2/gram
Particle Size = 30 nm
Google Link

Surface Area = 40-60 m2/gram
Particle Size = 20-40nm
SkySpring Nano Link

Surface Area = 50-245 m2/gram
Particle Size = <50nm
Sigma Aldrich Link


4. Performance Tuning: Calibrated Particle Properties
Using a LABORATORY-GRADE PRECURSOR, the 24 blue stars on graph below represent 24 additional Fe2O3 surface area/grain-size available options. Upon closer inspection, dozens more options exist (along the dashed line).

Using a INDUSTRIAL-GRADE PRECURSOR, the 19 red stars on graph below represent 19 additional Fe2O3 surface area/grain-size available options. Upon closer inspection, dozens more options exist (along the dashed line).


5. The Debate: Nanospherical vs. Nanoporous
Most PUBLISHED RESEARCH that includes Fe2O3 as part of its Testing Protocol relies on the "Nanospherical" Theory (achieving high surface areas requires a very large number of very small, solidly spherical particles.)

The LARGELY IGNORED ALTERNATIVE is the "Nanoporous" Theory. This theory relies on nanoporous (non-solid) particle architecture to achieve high surface area. Antithetical to common PhD disposition, nanoporous particles are thousands of times larger than solidly spherical nanoparticles and still possess HIGHER SURFACE AREAs than their "Nanospherical" counterparts.


6. Laboratory-Grade Precursor: Performance Tuned Fe2O3
Scanning Electron Microscope images above are multiple magnifications of G-2 Grade Fe2O3
G-1 Grade
G-2 Grade
G-3 Grade
G-4 Grade
Status = Under Development
Surface Area = +/-265 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 27,400nm

Price = $
Status = Available
Surface Area = +/-246 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 24,700nm
Independent Lab Report
Price = $85.00 for 5 grams
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Status = Under Development
Surface Area = +/-134 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 13,400nm

Price = $
Status = Under Development
Surface Area = +/-27 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 9,000nm

Price = $


7. Industrial-Grade Precursor: Performance Tuned Fe2O3
Scanning Electron Microscope images above are multiple magnifications of C-2 Grade Fe2O3
C-1 Grade
C-2 Grade
C-3 Grade
C-4 Grade
Status = Under Development
Surface Area = +/- 214 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 17,400nm

Price = $
Status = Out Of Stock
Surface Area = +/- 194 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 14,200nm
Independent Lab Report
Price = $
Status = Available
Surface Area = +/- 106 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 7,700nm
Independent Lab Report
Price = $60.00 for 5 grams
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Status = Available
Surface Area = +/- 21 m2/gram
Particle Size = +/- 5,180nm
Independent Lab Report
Price = $35.00 for 5 grams
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8. Performance Tuned Fe2O3 In Action


9. Handling Requirements + Instructions
Handling Requirements: A sieve (75-150 µm size recommended) will be required to separate your Performance Tuned Fe2O3 from the Preservative Pellets mixed into it. Preservative Pellets acts as both an Accelerant + a Preservative, improving performance up to 15% (per PO4 Adsorption Testing) + extending product life up to 18 months (provided vial seal remains broken). In the absence of laboratory equipment, a 8" x 8" square of aluminum foil works well when transferring Fe2O3 from vial to your application.

Instructions: Ultra-High Surface Area Fe2O3 degrades rapidly when exposed to room air. Do not break vial seal until ready to test. When ready to test, select a location with minimal air movement + humidity (where possible) as Performance Tuned Fe2O3 is prone to plume + concurrent rapid humidity adsorption/adsorption. Place aluminum foil square on flat surface shiny side up. Position sieve in the middle of the aluminum foil square about 2" above foil, then tap sieve to separate Fe2O3 from Pellets. Once sieve contains only pellets, transfer Fe2O3 to your application and discard pellets (safe for landfills).