Magnetite (Fe3O4) has been synthesized by several methods. Among these methods, I thing that "coprecipitation" is a rapid, facile and good method for obtaining nanoparticles of magnetite. In this case, aqueous solutios of FeCl2 and FeCl3 should be mixed, and then the pH of this solution is elevated using diuluted ammonia. Reaction could be carried out under nitrogen. A temperature about 40°C is needed.
Other successful method is using microwave irradiation. for these synthesis.
you can use co-precipitation method and synthesis Fe3O4 with size under 15 nm by using NaOH in your synthesis.. the below publications are useful and don't use Ar or N2 gas. it's easy and effective.