Abstract
Magnetite (Fe3O4) and metallic iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) were encapsulated in mesoporous silica, SBA-15, with two pore diameters (6.4 and 15.8nm) via vacuum-assisted impregnation and reduction in hydrogen gas. The formation of iron (II) silicate (Fe2SiO4) was successfully avoided by using a relatively low reducing temperature (510°C) for the reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe NPs. When compared to SBA-15 with a typical pore diameter of approximately 6nm, increases in the pore diameter led to increases in the saturation magnetization values of both the encapsulated NPs and the composite, while simultaneously leaving a larger pore volume in the composite. The as-prepared composites, with tunable magnetic properties and pore volumes, show attractive applications in various fields.
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