Process of forming compounds using reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion systems

A process of producing nanometer-sized particles of an iron oxide compound, comprising the steps of:

• forming a reverse micelle system or a bi-continuous system each comprising a polar fluid, a surfactant and a co-surfactant that is an alkyl sulfate in a non-polar or low-polarity fluid;
• introducing a first reactant comprising a multi-component, water soluble iron compound into the polar fluid during the formation of said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system subsequent to its formation;
• reacting said multi-component, water soluble iron compound in said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system to form particles of said nanometer sized iron oxide compound;
• and
• separating said nanometer-sized particles from said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system.

A process of producing nanometer-sized particles of a metal compound, comprising the steps of:

• forming a reverse micelle system or a bi-continuous system, or a reverse microemulsion system each comprising a polar fluid, a surfactant and a co-surfactant that is water soluble in a non-polar or low-polarity fluid;
• introducing a first reactant comprising a multi-component, water soluble metal compound into the polar fluid during the formation of said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system subsequent to its formation;
• reacting said multi-component, water soluble metal compound in said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system to form said nanometer sized particles of said nanometer-sized metal compound selected from the group consisting of Fe(OH).sub.3 alpha-FeOOH, alpha-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, gamma-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, magnetite, maghemite, beta-FeOOH, FeS, Fe.sub.2 S.sub.3, FeOS, NH.sub.4 FeS.sub.2 and mixtures thereof ;
• and
• separating said nanometer-sized particles from said reverse micelle system or said bi-continuous system.