We have synthesized the iron oxide nanoparticles using the newly developed mechanical ultrasonication method with the FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O. We have also investigated the crystallographic structural properties, morphology, and magnetic properties of the nanopowders. According to the high resolution X-ray diffraction result, the as-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were magnetite (Fe3O4). The particle size of the magnetite nanoparticles was about 6 nm confirmed by transmission electron microscopy image. The particle shape was almost a sphere confirmed by scanning electron microscopy image. The coercivity and saturation magnetization of the as-synthesized iron oxide nanopowders were 114 Oe, and 3.7 emu/g, respectively. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.