Iron oxide nanoclusters were synthesized within mesoporous MCM-41 aluminosilicate matrices via evaporation-condensation of volatile Fe(CO)5. The well-defined hexagonally packed cylindrical pore structure of MCM-41 led to the derivation of γ-Fe2O3 particles with spherical and elongated morphologies. Magnetization studies and Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated that the γ-Fe2O3/MCM-41 nanocomposites exhibited interesting superparamagnetic behavior. A blue shift in the absorption edge relative to bulk iron oxide was noted in the UV−Vis spectra. Strain at the particle-support interface and quantum confinement effects played a critical role in determining the overall magnetic and optical behavior of the γ-Fe2O3/MCM-41 nanocomposites. The iron oxide nanoclusters within the MCM-41 matrix showed high thermal stability and increased magnetization when calcined at high temperatures.
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