Synthesis of binary iron-carbon nanoparticles by UV laser photolysis of Fe(CO)₅ with various hydrocarbons

In this study the laser photolysis of the mixtures containing vapors of various hydrocarbons and iron pentacarbonyl was implemented to nanoparticle formation. The radiation source used for photodissociation of precursors was a pulsed Nd:Yag laser operated at a wavelength of 266 nm. UnderUV radiation the molecules of Fe(CO)₅ decomposed, forming atomic iron vapor and unsaturated carbonyls at well-known and readily controllable parameters. The subsequent condensation of supersaturated metal vapor resulted in small iron clusters and nanoparticles formation. The growth process of the nanoparticles was observed by a method of laser light extinction. Laser induced incandescence technique was applied for particle sizing during the process of their formation. Additionally nanoparticle samples were investigated by a transmission electron microscope. The particle size distribution was measured by statistical treatment of microphotographs. The elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron diffraction pattern gave the composition and structure of nanoparticles. The core-shell iron-carbon nanoparticles were synthesized by joint laser photolysis of iron pentacarbonyl with benzene and acetylene. The photolysis of the mixtures of toluene, butanol and methane with iron pentacarbonyl revealed in a pure iron particles formation which fast oxidized in air when were extracted out of the reactor.