Synthesis of ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles Confined Within Nanoporous Silica Using Trinuclear Oxo-centered Complex: Inorganic Complexes as a Precursor for the Preparation of Magnetic Nanoporous Silica

MCM-48 Nanoporous silica (Mobil Composition of Matter, #48) was synthesized and functionalized by pyridine groups. The formation of this functionalized nanoporous silica was confirmed by elemental analysis, low angle x-ray powder diffraction and N₂ adsorption. The trinuclear oxo-centered Fe₂Zn(μ₃-O)(CF₃COO)₆(H₂O)₃ cluster was synthesized and immobilized inside the pyridine functionalized MCM-48 pores. The immobilization of this cluster was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and flame atomic adsorption spectroscopy. Fe₂ZnO₄ nanoparticles were confined within the nanoporous silica pores by thermolysis of the immobilized Fe₂Zn(μ₃-O)(CF₃COO)₆(H₂O)₃ cluster and were characterized by high angle X-ray powder diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. This method is suitable for the one-pot preparation of Fe₂ZnO₄ confined nanoporous silica.