Experimental and theoretical study of the reactions between small neutral iron oxide clusters and carbon monoxide

Reactions of small neutral iron oxide clusters (FeO(1-3) and Fe(2)O(4,5)) with carbon monoxide (CO) are investigated by experiments and first-principle calculations. The iron oxide clusters are generated by reaction of laser-ablation-generated iron plasma with O(2) in a supersonic expansion and are reacted with carbon monoxide in a fast flow reactor. Detection of the neutral clusters is through ionization with vacuum UV laser (118 nm) radiation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The FeO(2) and FeO(3) neutral clusters are reactive toward CO, whereas Fe(2)O(4), Fe(2)O(5), and possibly FeO are not reactive. A higher reactivity for FeO(2) [sigma(FeO(2) + CO) > 3 x 10(-17) cm(2)] than for FeO(3) [sigma(FeO(3) + CO) approximately 1 x 10(-17) cm(2)] is observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out to interpret the experimental observations and to generate the reaction mechanisms. The reaction pathways with negative or very small overall barriers are identified for CO oxidation by FeO(2) and FeO(3). The lower reactivity of FeO(3) with respect to FeO(2) may be related to a spin inversion process present in the reaction of FeO(3) with CO. Significant reaction barriers are calculated for the reactions of FeO and Fe(2)O(4-5) with CO. The DFT results are in good agreement with experimental observations. Molecular-level reaction mechanisms for CO oxidation by O(2), facilitated by condensed phase iron oxides as catalysts, are suggested.     

Surfactant-resisted assembly of Fe-containing nanoparticles for site-specific growth of SWNTs on Si surface

This paper describes a facile approach to the site-specific growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on silicon surfaces by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The approach is based on the use of a surfactant as a resist to define patterns of silicon oxide nanodomains onto which nanoparticles of iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3), 1-5 nm diameter, could be deposited. In base growth mode, the SWNTs can grow from the oxide nanodomains. By controlling the location of oxide nanodomains, site-specific growth could be obtained. The iron hydroxide nanoparticles were prepared by hydrolysis of ferric chloride (FeCl3). Patterned hydroxylated silicon oxide nanodomains were created by scanning probe oxidation (SPO) of silicon substrates modified with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS, H2N(CH2)3Si(OCH3)3). Due to electrostatic interaction, Fe(OH)3 nanoparticles can be selectively deposited on hydroxyl groups present on silicon oxide nanodomains. To inhibit the assembly of the nanoparticles on a APTMS-coated silicon surface, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was introduced, which restricted deposition to the hydroxylated nanodomains. A model mechanism for the selective deposition mechanism has been proposed. It was possible to convert the patterned Fe(OH)3 nanoparticles to iron oxide, which served as a catalyst for the site-specific growth of SWNTs. Raman spectroscopy and AFM were used to characterize the nanotubes on the Si substrate. This will offer the possibility for future integration with conventional microelectronics as well as the development of novel devices.     

Fe1-xO基氨合成催化剂的制备化学

采用高温熔融法制备了各类铁氧化物,用XRD分析了熔融过程中的物相变化,EOS考察了熔融体凝固-冷却速率对助催化剂分布的影响.结果表明,采用大气气氛中的高温熔融法不能制取Fe₂O₃和化学计量比的FeO,前者会发生分解反应,后者会发生歧化反应;在1.333≤n(O)/n(Fe)<1.38范围时,可以制取Fe₃O₄或非化学计量比的Fe₃-yO₄;在1.113O₄和FeO的混合氧化物;在1.0451-xO,即维氏体.Fe_1-xO基催化剂的制备必须采用物理熔融与化学反应相结合的工艺.凝固冷却速度对抑制氧化亚铁的氧化反应和歧化反应,保证助催化剂的均匀分布和晶粒度均有很大影响     

Monodisperse MFe2O4 (M = Fe, Co, Mn) nanoparticles

High-temperature solution phase reaction of iron(III) acetylacetonate, Fe(acac)(3), with 1,2-hexadecanediol in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine leads to monodisperse magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles. Similarly, reaction of Fe(acac)(3) and Co(acac)(2) or Mn(acac)(2) with the same diol results in monodisperse CoFe(2)O(4) or MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles. Particle diameter can be tuned from 3 to 20 nm by varying reaction conditions or by seed-mediated growth. The as-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles have a cubic spinel structure as characterized by HRTEM, SAED, and XRD. Further, Fe(3)O(4) can be oxidized to Fe(2)O(3), as evidenced by XRD, NEXAFS spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. The hydrophobic nanoparticles can be transformed into hydrophilic ones by adding bipolar surfactants, and aqueous nanoparticle dispersion is readily made. These iron oxide nanoparticles and their dispersions in various media have great potential in magnetic nanodevice and biomagnetic applications.     

Size-controlled syntheses and hydrophilic surface modification of Fe3O4, Ag, and Fe3O4/Ag heterodimer nanocrystals

High-quality, monodisperse, and size-controlled Fe(3)O(4), Ag, and bifunctional Fe(3)O(4)/Ag heterodimer nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized successfully. In the synthesis of Fe(3)O(4) NCs, dodecanol was chosen as the substitute of 1,2-hexadecanediol and "size control" was achieved by simply adjusting the proportion among the ligands instead of utilizing seed-mediated growth. In the synthesis of Ag NCs, organometallic silver acetylacetonate (Agacac) was used as precursors and tunable particle size could be easily obtained by adjusting the reaction temperatures. By using different sized Fe(3)O(4) NCs as seeds, Fe(3)O(4)/Ag heterodimer NCs with particle sizes tuned from 5 to 16 nm for Fe(3)O(4) and 4 to 8 nm for Ag were successfully synthesized and superparamagnetism were maintained. We found that the size of Ag attached on the Fe(3)O(4) NCs relied on the size of Fe(3)O(4) seed. UV-vis absorption spectra and TEM investigations revealed that the bigger the Fe(3)O(4) NCs seed used, the bigger the Ag NCs that were obtained from the heterodimer NCs. In addition, we demonstrated that all of these NCs were successfully transferred into water by surface modification with biocompatible carboxylic acid groups, which made them meet the basic requirement for biolabeling and biomedical applications.     

Study of formation and thermal stability of the Fe/ZnO(000‐1) interface

Formation and thermal stability of the Fe/ZnO(000‐1) interface have been studied by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. The results indicated a pseudo 2D growth mode for iron on ZnO. In addition, it could be shown that under ultra high vacuum conditions deposited Fe⁰ on a ZnO(000‐1) single crystal was partially oxidized by a small fraction of residual ? OH‐groups and ZnO to FeO. A strong temperature dependence of the interface reactivity was found upon annealing at temperatures up to 600 °C. Starting from 200 °C iron was first oxidized to bivalent iron oxide. After complete oxidation of Fe⁰ to Fe²⁺ at 375 °C, Fe²⁺ reacted to Fe³⁺. Above temperatures of 500 °C the deposited metallic iron was completely oxidized to trivalent iron. Further experiments with FeO on ZnO showed the oxidation state and the oxide film thickness of the deposited iron to be mainly dependent on the annealing temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formation and characterization of two FeO3 isomers in solid argon

Two FeO 3 isomers were prepared and characterized using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The iron monoxide molecules produced from laser evaporation of the bulk iron oxide target react with dioxygen in solid argon to form the (eta (2)-O 2)FeO complex spontaneously on annealing. The (eta (2)-O 2)FeO complex was predicted to have a (5)B 2 ground state with a planar C 2 v structure, in which the O 2 fragment is side-on bonded to the iron center. The (eta (2)-O 2)FeO complex rearranges to the more stable iron trioxide isomer upon visible light (lambda > 500 nm) irradiation. The iron trioxide molecule was predicted to have a closed-shell singlet ground state with a planar D 3 h symmetry, in which the iron possesses a +6 oxidation state.     

Surface structural evolution in iron oxide thin films

Ordered iron oxide ultrathin films were fabricated on a single-crystal Mo(110) substrate under ultrahigh vacuum conditions by either depositing Fe in ambient oxygen or oxidizing preprepared Fe(110) films. The surface structure and electronic structure of the iron oxide films were investigated by various surface analytical techniques. The results indicate surface structural transformations from metastable FeO(111) and O-terminated Fe(2)O(3)(0001) to Fe(3)O(4)(111) films, respectively. The former depends strongly on the oxygen pressure and substrate temperature, and the latter relies mostly upon the annealing temperature. Our experimental observations are helpful in understanding the mechanisms of surface structural evolution in iron oxides. The model surfaces of Fe-oxide films, particularly O-terminated surfaces, can be used for further investigation in chemical reactions (e.g., in catalysis).     

Iron monoxide photodissociation

The photodissociation of (56)FeO was studied by means of the velocity map imaging technique. A molecular beam of iron atoms and iron monoxide molecules was created using an electrical discharge with an iron electrode in a supersonic expansion of molecular oxygen. The ground state iron atom Fe((5)D(4)) and FeO concentrations in the molecular beam have been estimated. The dissociation energy of the FeO X (5)Delta ground electronic state was found to be D(0) (0)(FeO)=4.18+/-0.01 eV. The effective absorption cross section of FeO at 252.39 nm (vac), leading to the Fe((5)D(4))+O((3)P) dissociation channel, is approximately 1.2 x 10(-18) cm(2). A (1+1) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectrum of (56)FeO in the region 39 550-39 580 cm(-1) with rotational structure has been observed, but not assigned. Angular distributions of Fe((5)D(4)) and Fe((5)D(3)) products for the channel FeO-->Fe((5)D(4,3))+O((3)P) have been measured at several points in the 210-260 nm laser light wavelength region. The anisotropy parameter varies strongly with wavelength for both channels.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the structure and reactivity of Fe1-2O< or =6- clusters with CO

Synergistic studies employing experiments in the gas phase and theoretical first principles calculations have been carried out to investigate the structure, stability, and reactivity toward CO of iron oxide cluster anions, Fe(x)O(y)- (x = 1-2, y < or = 6). Collision-induced dissociation studies of iron oxide species, employing xenon collision gas, show that FeO3- and FeO2- are the stable building blocks of the larger iron oxide clusters. Theoretical calculations show that the fragmentation patterns leading to the production of O or FeO(n) fragments are governed both by the energetics of the overall process as well as the number of intermediate states and the changes in spin multiplicity. Mass-selected experiments identified oxygen atom transfer to CO as the dominant reaction pathway for most anionic iron oxide clusters. A theoretical analysis of the molecular level pathways has been carried out to highlight the role of energetics as well as the spin states of the intermediates on the oxidation reaction.     

Surface engineering on segmented copper-iron nanowires arrays

Surface engineering that could modulate the surface shape to be endowed with the high specific surface ratio, abundant chemical dangling bonds and improved defects exposure is highly desired and needs further exploring. Here, we report a facile strategy of surface engineering on decorating the controllable segmented copper-iron nanowires arrays (Cu-Fe NWs) with their respective hydroxides. Specifically, the pristine segmented Cu-Fe NWs are firstly synthesized via sequentially electrodepositing Cu NWs and Fe NWs inside the nanochannels of anode aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Subsequently, the surface and interface of Cu-Fe NWs are wet-chemically etched, in which the metallic Cu and Fe are partially converted into Cu(OH)_x nano-fibrous roots (NFRs) and FeO(OH)_y nanoparticles (NPs), and finally decorate around the respective outer-surface of Cu NWs and Fe NWs segments. As one case of the applications in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), our surface-modified Cu-Fe NWs exhibit improved catalytic activity compared with Fe NWs.     

Composition and structure of iron oxidation surface layers produced in weak acidic solutions

Although oxidation/passivation of iron in basic solution has been extensively investigated, there is very little information on iron corrosion in weak acidic solutions. In this work, iron surface composition and structure, produced in aerobic aqueous solutions ranging from pH 2 to 5, were determined in detail by the use of infrared external reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The most striking observation is that at pH 2 and 3 almost all oxidized iron is dissolved in solution, whereas at pH 4 and 5 the product of iron oxidation is deposited on the iron surface in the form of lepidocrocite, gamma-FeOOH. Detailed iron surface and solution analyses allow the proposition of the following overall oxidation reactions: [EQUATION: SEE TEXT]. At pH 2 and 3, only a very thin surface layer consisting of FeO and Fe(OH)2 with polymeric structure is observed on the iron surface. The amounts of these surface species remain almost constant (2-5 nm) from the first minutes to a few hours of reaction, if pH is kept constant. Nevertheless, with time the akaganeite-like, beta-FeOOH structure is also detected. At pH 4 and 5, the amount of lepidocrocite deposited on the iron surface increases with reaction time. Detailed quantitative evaluation of the lepidocrocite produced at pH 5 and its surface distribution on iron was performed based on the comparison of infrared spectroscopic data with spectral simulation results of assumed surface structures. At pH 4 and 5 and a temperature of 40-50 degrees C, in addition to a very large amount of lepidocrocite other oxy-hydroxide surface species such as goethite (alpha-FeOOH) and feroxyhite (delta-FeOOH), were identified. Addition of Cl- ions to solution at 10(-3) M concentration at pH 5 increases the oxidation rate of iron by about 50%, and lepidocrocite remains the only oxidation product. Similarly, an addition of Fe2+ ions to solution at pH 5 very strongly enhances lepidocrocite formation as well as its conductivity. The latter finding is important for the possible application of metallic iron as a catalyst in redox reactions, for example, for decomposition of difficult-to-biodegrade water pollutants.     

Study of Mono- and Bimetallic Fe and Mn Oxide-Supported Clinoptilolite for Improved Pb(II) Removal

A cost-effective, iron- and manganese-oxide-supported clinoptilolite-based rock was prepared. Based on its nanoporous structure, it worked as a nanoreactor, thereby providing enhanced functionalities. The mono- and bimetallic Fe- and Mn-oxide-supported clinoptilolite was thoroughly characterized with thermoanalytical FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and XPS spectroscopy. All the spectral procedures that were used confirmed the occurrence of a new MnO₂ phase (predominantly birnessite), including mostly amorphous iron oxi(hydr)oxide (FeO(OH)) species on the surface of the above-synthesized adsorbents. The synthesized products validated a considerably higher adsorption capacity toward Pb(II) pollutants compared to the natural clinoptilolite. The following order of a(max) toward Pb(II) was found: MnOx-zeolite (202.1 mg/g) > FeO(OH)-MnOx-zeolite (101.3 mg/g) > FeO(OH)-zeolite (80 mg/g) > natural zeolite (54.9 mg/g). The adsorption equilibrium data were analyzed by the two-parameter empirical isotherm models Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET as well as the three-parameter Redlich–Peterson isotherm.     

The negative adsorption of chromium atoms on alloy-oxide film boundaries during oxidation in air and anodic passivation of Fe-Cr and Ni-Cr alloys

Equilibrium of Cr atoms between the surface layer and bulk of a binary alloy was analyzed. The Gibbs adsorption equation was used to obtain the dependence of the adsorption activity of atoms in the surface layer on their activity in the bulk. An approximate thermodynamic method was used to calculate the adsorption of Fe (Ni) and Cr atoms in the surface layers of Fe-Cr and Ni-Cr alloys. According to calculations, there was negative adsorption, X _Cr ≪ 1, in the surface layer of the alloys caused by a large difference between the Gibbs surface energies of Cr and Fe (or Ni). The negative adsorption of Cr shifted chemical reaction equilibria on the alloy-oxide film boundary both in oxidation in air and in anodic passivation, 3FeO (NiO) + 2Cr = Cr₂O₃ + 3Fe(Ni), toward oxide film enrichment in the FeO (or NiO) oxide. A unified method for calculating the composition of oxide films on alloys was used for both processes. The method was based on the use of the initial data on the Gibbs surface energy of metals constituting alloys. The calculated oxide film compositions were close to the experimental X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data.     

Structural study of ternary iron-lead-germanate glass ceramics

Glass ceramics with the composition xFe(2)O(3)·(100-x)[7GeO(2)·3PbO(2)] where 0≤x≤60 mol% were obtained and studied using XRD, FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy investigations. Heat treatment of glass samples at 400°C for 8 h led to the formation of α, γ-PbGe(4)O(9), Pb(3)Fe(2)Ge(4)O(14) and PbO(1.44) crystalline phases. The content of these crystalline phases depends of Fe(2)O(3) concentration. FTIR spectroscopy data suggest that the lead ions have a pronounced affinity towards [GeO(5)] structural units containing non-bridging oxygens and [FeO(4)] anions producing formation of the Pb(3)Fe(2)Ge(4)O(14) crystalline phase. The introduction of low concentrations of Fe(2)O(3) into the host matrix results in the formation of new absorption UV bands between 320 and 450 nm. These bands arise from to the d-d transitions of the Fe(+3) ions. The light absorption in the range from 250 to 600 nm increases with increasing iron oxide content in matrix network, accompanied with the changes on color from white to brown yellow and darker brown.     

ToF‐SIMS studies of the oxidation of Fe by D2O vapour: comparison with XPS

The oxidation of iron (Fe) by water (D₂O) vapour at low pressures and room temperature was investigated using time‐of‐flight (ToF) SIMS. The results supported those found previously using XPS and the QUASES^? program in that a duplex oxide structure was found containing a thin outer surface hydroxide (Fe(OD)₂) layer over an inner oxide (FeO) layer. The extraordinary depth resolution of the ToF‐SIMS profiles assisted in identifying the two phases; this resolution was achieved by compensation for surface roughness. A substantial concentration of deuterium was found in the subsurface oxide layer. This observation confirmed previous assessments that the formation of FeO was from the reaction of Fe(OD)₂ with outward‐diffusing Fe, leaving deuterium as a reaction product. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Remarkable influence of surface composition and structure of oxidized iron layer on orange I decomposition mechanisms

Although the decomposition of water pollutants in the presence of metallic iron is known, the reaction pathways and mechanisms of the decomposition of azo-dyes have been meagerly investigated. The interface phenomena taking place during orange I decomposition have been investigated with the use of infrared external reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The studies presented in this paper establish that there are close relationships between the composition and structure of the iron surface oxidized layers and the kinetics and reaction pathway of orange decomposition. The influence of the molecular structure of azo-dye on the produced intermediates was also studied. There are remarkable differences in orange I decomposition between pH 3 and pH 5 at 30 degrees C. Decomposition at pH 3 is very fast with pseudo-first-order kinetics, whereas at pH 5 the reaction is slower with pseudo-zero-order kinetics. At pH 3, only one amine, namely 1-amino-4-naphthol, was identified as an intermediate that undergoes future decomposition. Sulfanilic acid, the second harmful reduction product, was not found in our studies. At pH 3, the iron surface is covered only by a very thin layer of polymeric Fe(OH)(2) mixed with FeO that ensures orange reduction by a combination of an electron transfer reaction and a catalytic hydrogenation reaction. At pH 5, the iron surface is covered up to a few micrometers thick, with a very spongy and porous layer of lepidocrocite enriched in Fe(2+) ions, which slows the electron transfer process. The fastest decomposition reaction was found at a potential near -300 mV (standard hydrogen electrode). An addition of Fe(2+) ions to solution, iron preoxidation in water, or an increase of temperature all result in an increasing decomposition rate. There is no single surface product that would inhibit the decomposition of orange. This information is crucial to perform efficient, clean and low cost waste water treatment. The findings presented here make the treatment of wastewater in the presence of metallic iron a very promising solution.     

钴掺杂的磁性氧化铁纳米粒子的可控合成

通过油酸盐前驱体高温热解法制备出大小均匀的钴掺杂四氧化三铁球形纳米粒子, 其钴/铁摩尔比可以通过调节油酸钴与油酸铁的比例进行调变. 当产物中钴/铁摩尔比从0.024增加到0.156, 所制备的氧化铁纳米粒子的饱和磁矩从39 emu·g^-1逐渐减小到30 emu·g^-1, 而矫顽力从0 Oe升至190 Oe. 在305℃下, 随着反应体系的热解时间由0.5 h 增加到3 h, 所制备出的氧化铁纳米粒子尺寸逐渐由7 nm增加到14 nm. 热解时间较短时, 以高价态的四氧化三铁的晶型为主, 辅之以少量的氧化亚铁; 热解时间增加至2 h, 产物的晶型为四氧化三铁和氧化亚铁的复合物; 而继续增加热解时间至3 h, 除四氧化三铁和氧化亚铁之外, 还出现少量的零价态的CoFe合金, 说明铁(钴)元素经历了由三价到二价, 最后被还原为零价的过程. 随着反应温度的升高, 产物的尺寸逐渐增大, 同时产物中氧化亚铁的含量增多.     

高铁酸盐在SnO2-Sb2O3/Ti电极上的选择性电化学合成

合成了SnO2-Sb2O3/Ti电极材料.实验结果证实,在14mol/LNaOH水溶液中和完全避免析氧反应的条件下,Fe(Ⅱ)物种在该电极上进行电化学氧化并生成FeO42-.结果表明,Fe(OH)3在浓NaOH溶液中发生酸式电离,形成可溶于水的FeO2-,该离子的浓度随着碱溶液浓度变化而发生明显变化,而且它还是发生化学氧化和电化学氧化的反应物.在SnO2-Sb2O3/Ti电极上,FeO42-的电化学还原起始电位为0.38V(vs.Hg/HgO,14mol/LNaOH),FeO2-电化学氧化起始电位为0.54V.结果还表明,用电化学方法氧化Fe(Ⅱ)物种生成FeO42-是个多步骤过程.