Synthesis and characterization of air-stable iron nanocrystalline particles based on a single-step swelling process of uniform polystyrene template microspheres

Nava Shpaisman, Shlomo Margel

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31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polystyrene template microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in a mixture of ethanol and 2-methoxy ethanol. These template particles dispersed in aqueous solution have been used for entrapping Fe(CO)5, by a single-step swelling process of methylene chloride emulsion droplets containing Fe(CO)5, within these particles. The influence of different swelling parameters, such as the volume ratio [CH2Cl2/[Fe(CO)5], on the size and size distribution of the swollen template particles was elucidated. Air-stable Fe/Fe3C nanocrystalline particles have been prepared by thermal decomposition of the Fe(CO)5 swollen template particles at 600°C in an inert atmosphere. Characterization of these air-stable Fe/Fe3C nanocrystalline particles has been accomplished by light microscopy, TEM, XRD, TGA, XPS, elemental analysis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. These nanocrystalline particles have a core - shell structure where a coating of Fe3C and carbon protects the core body-centered cubic Fe from oxidation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)396-402
Number of pages7
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Jan 2006

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