Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

In order to use the infrared (IR) radiation shielding materials, they should take a form of thin film coatings deposited on glass/polymer substrates or be used as fillers of glass/polymer. The first approach usually suffers from several
technological problems. Therefore, the second strategy gains more and more attention. Taking into account this trend, this work presents the usage of iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) embedded into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) films as the shielding material in near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) region. The performed
investigations show that the transmittance of copolymer films decreases with
increasing content of the Fe NPs inside them. It is found that the average fade of IR transmittance for 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 50 mg of Fe NPs is about 13%, 24%, 31%, 77%, and 98%, respectively. Moreover, it is observed that the PVDF-HFP films filled in the Fe NPs almost does not reflect the NIR and MIR radiation. Hence, the IR shielding properties of the PVDF-HFP films can be effectively tuned by the addition of proper amount of the Fe NPs. This, in turn, shows that the PVDF-HFP films filled in the Fe NPs constitute a great option for IR antireflective and shielding applications.

antireflective materials, copolymer films, infrared radiation shielding materials, iron nanoparticles, nanofillers

Functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes as well as nanocomposite based on that material covered by nanoparticles composed of iron oxides were the subject of investigations. In order to identify all iron-bearing phases including those reported on the base of previous X-ray diffraction measurements, the transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy was utilized. The experiments were carried out both at room temperature and also at low temperatures. It was stated that in the investigated nanotubes some impurities were present, originating from the catalyst remains, in form of Fe–C and -Fe nanoparticles. The Mössbauer spectra collected for the nanocomposite showed a complex shape characteristic of temperature relaxations. The following subspectra related to iron-based phases were identified: sextet attributed to hematite, with hyperfine magnetic field reduced due to the temperature relaxations, sextet corresponding to iron carbide as well as two doublets linked to superparamagnetic hematite and ferrihydrites.

Mossbauer spectroscopy, multiwall carbon nanotubes, phase transition

This work describes an oxidation process of iron–iron oxide core–shell nanowires at temperatures between 100°C and 800°C. The studied nanomaterial was synthesized through a simple chemical reduction of iron trichloride in an external magnetic field under a constant flow of argon. The electron microscopy investigations allowed determining that the as-prepared nanowires were composed of self-assembled iron nanoparticles which were covered by a 3 nm thick oxide shell and separated from each other by a thin interface layer. Both these layers exhibited an amorphous or highly-disordered character which was traced by means of transmission electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The thermal oxidation was carried out under a constant flow of argon which contained the traces of oxygen. The first stage of process was related to slow transformations of amorphous Fe and amorphous iron oxides into crystalline phases and disappearance of interfaces between iron nanoparticles forming the studied nanomaterial (range: 25–300°C). After that, the crystalline iron core and iron oxide shell became oxidized and signals for different compositions of iron oxide sheath were observed (range: 300–800°C) using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. According to the thermal gravimetric analysis, the nanowires heated up to 800°C under argon atmosphere gained 37% of mass with respect to their initial weight. The structure of the studied nanomaterial oxidized at 800°C was mainly composed of α-Fe2O3 (∼93%). Moreover, iron nanowires treated above 600°C lost their wire-like shape due to their shrinkage and collapse caused by the void coalescence.

annealing, core-shell nanostructure, iron nanoparticles, iron nanowires, oxidation, thermal treatment

The main aim of this work was to study the impact of thermal annealing on the structure of iron oxide shell covering iron nanowires in relation to their semiconducting properties. Studied nanomaterial has been produced via a simple chemical reduction in an external magnetic field and then it has been thermally-treated at 400oC, 600oC and also 800oC in a slightly oxidizing argon atmosphere. Annealed iron nanowires have been characterized by means of the Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence in order to study the structure of iron oxide shell and its influence on semiconducting properties of the whole nanostructure. According to obtained experimental results, the composition of iron oxide shell covering the studied nanomaterial is changing with annealing temperature. The thermal treatment at 400oC leads to oxidation of iron coming from the core of nanomaterial and formation of a mixture of Fe3O4 and a-Fe2O3 on the surfaces of nanowires, while annealing at higher temperatures results in further oxidation of iron as well as the phase transformation of previously created Fe3O4 into the most thermo-dynamically stable form of iron oxide at ambient conditions — a-Fe2O3. This oxide has a major impact on the semiconducting properties of studied nanomaterial. Thereby, the measurements of photoluminescence enabled to estimate the bandgap of bulk and surface layer at about 1.8 eV and 2.1 eV, respectively.

nanowires, structure, optical properties, semiconductor nanostructures, micro- and nano-oxidation

The main goal of this work is to study the structural and magnetic properties of iron nanowires and iron nanoparticles, which have been fabricated in almost the same processes. The only difference in the synthesis is an application of an external magnetic field in order to form the iron nanowires. Both nanomaterials have been examined by means of transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry and Mössbauer spectrometry to determine their structures. Structural investigations confirm that obtained iron nanowires as well as nanoparticles reveal core–shell structures and they are composed of crystalline iron cores that are covered by amorphous or highly defected phases of iron and iron oxides. Magnetic properties have been measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The obtained values of coercivity, remanent magnetization, saturation magnetization as well as Curie temperature differ for both studied nanostructures. Higher values of magnetizations are observed for iron nanowires. At the same time, coercivity and Curie temperature are higher for iron nanoparticles.

iron nanoparticles, iron nanostructures, iron nanowires, magnetic properties, structural properties

This work presents the results of high temperature annealing of iron nanowires at five different temperatures (ranging 200–800 °C) in the slightly oxidative atmosphere. Investigated nanomaterial was prepared in simple chemical reduction process from aqueous solution of iron trichloride placed in external magnetic field. Experimental results allowed determining how magnetic properties of as-prepared as well as annealed iron nanowires change in respect to their structures. They also delivered information about phase transitions occurred in as-prepared sample under thermal treatment.

annealing, iron, magnetic properties, nanowires

The aim of this work is to study the preparation and characterization of a new nanocomposite which consists of chemically-modified multiwall carbon nanotubes covered by randomly-deposited nanoparticles of hematite. The morphology, structural and physical properties of the investigated nanomaterial were determined by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry at ambient conditions. The presence of residual catalyst nanospheres inside multiwall carbon nanotubes was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The signal coming from this contamination was under the detection limit of X-ray diffractometer, therefore it was not registered.

Hematite, Multiwall carbon nanotubes, CVD, TEM, XRD, VSM

Raman spectroscopy as well as Mössbauer spectroscopy were applied in order to study the phase composition of iron nanowires and its changes, caused by annealing in a neutral atmosphere at several temperatures ranging from 200°C to 800°C. As-prepared nanowires were manufactured via a simple chemical reduction in an external magnetic field. Both experimental techniques proved formation of the surface layer covered by crystalline iron oxides, with phase composition dependent on the annealing temperature (Ta). At higher Ta, hematite was the dominant phase in the nanowires.

amorphous iron and iron oxides, iron nanowires, Mössbauer spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermal annealing