Abstract
Iron/iron oxide-based nanocomposites were prepared by IR laser sensitized pyrolysis ofFe(CO)5and methyl methacrylate (MMA) mixtures. The morphology of nanopowder analyzed by TEM indicated that mainly core-shell structures were obtained. X-ray diffraction techniques evidence the cores as formed mainly by iron/iron oxide crystalline phases. A partially degraded (carbonized) polymeric matrix is suggested for the coverage of the metallic particles. The nanocomposite structure at the variation of the laser density and of the MMA flow was studied. The new materials prepared as thick films were tested for their potential for acting as gas sensors. The temporal variation of the electrical resistance in presence ofNO2, CO, andCO2, in dry and humid air was recorded. Preliminary results show that the samples obtained at higher laser power density exhibit rather high sensitivity towardsNO2detection andNO2selectivity relatively to CO andCO2. An optimum working temperature of200°Cwas found.
Highlights
The incorporation of nanoscale metal and metal-based particles into inorganic and polymeric/organic matrices represent an attractive field of research as compared to conventional phase-separated macrocomposites [1,2,3]
Iron/iron oxide-based nanocomposites were prepared by Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) laser sensitized pyrolysis of Fe(CO)5 and methyl methacrylate (MMA) mixtures
The laser decomposition of both MMA and iron pentacarbonyl is based on the excitation of ethylene (IR photosensitizer) and a collisional energy transfer between the excited ethylene and these compounds
Summary
The incorporation of nanoscale metal and metal-based particles into inorganic and polymeric/organic matrices represent an attractive field of research as compared to conventional phase-separated macrocomposites [1,2,3]. Due to the high-surface areas of the nanofillers and their molecularlevel interactions with the matrix, there is great interest in nanocomposites due to significant scientific questions relating to interfacial chemistry and physics as well as their greatly enhanced practical properties This is the reason why promising applications are expected in many areas: optics, electronics, ionics, mechanics, energy, environment, biology, medicine for example as membranes and separation devices, functional smart coatings, fuel and solar cells, and catalysts, sensor [4,5,6]. The preparation of nanocomposite structures over thick film metal oxide gas sensors could provide advantages because they combine the properties of the inorganic fillers with the processability and flexibility of polymers and because they could be operated at lower temperatures [13, 14]. By applying the one-step laser pyrolysis to a gas mixtures containing Fe(CO) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) we have prepared metal-based nanocomposites, presenting mainly core-shell structures. Rather high sensitivity towards NO2 detection and selectivity to CO and CO2 in the presence of water vapors was found for samples obtained at higher laser power density
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