We report an improved method for the controlled solvent-phase decomposition of ferrocene into highly crystalline monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles at relatively low temperatures. Solution-phase decomposition of ferrocene into nanoparticles has received little attention in the literature, due to the percieved stability of ferrocene. However, we synthesised wüstite FeO-iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles by thermally decomposing ferrocene in 1-octadecene solvent and in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine, as surfactants. We report procedures that provide cubic and spherical core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles whose size (29.3 ± 2.3 nm for spheres, 38.6 ± 6.9 nm for distorted cubes and 23.5 ± 2.4 nm for distorted cubes with concave faces) and shape can be controlled through simple adjustments to reaction parameters. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction analysis methods were used to characterise the nanoparticles.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	nanoparticles, ferrocene, iron oxides
Research Division:	Chemical Sciences
Research Group:	Macromolecular and materials chemistry
Research Field:	Nanochemistry
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences
UTAS Author:	Fuller, RO (Dr Rebecca Fuller)
ID Code:	148420
Year Published:	2022
Deposited By:	Chemistry
Deposited On:	2022-01-10
Last Modified:	2022-08-16
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