We synthesized hollow magnetite particles by liquid-phase deposition (LPD) using polystyrene (PS) particles as templates. We prepared beta-FeOOH/PS composite particles by adding boric acid to an aqueous FeOOH/NH4F center dot HF solution. PS particles were used as templates. Calcination of the composite particles under vacuum produced hollow magnetite (Fe3O4) particles that were readily attracted to a magnetic field. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.