Synthesis and characterization of orthorhombic, 2d-centered rectangular and lamellar iron oxide doped silica films

Iron oxide doped silica films and powders with highly ordered mesostructures of extraordinary temperature stability (up to 1000 degrees C) and iron loading of up to 6 atom% were produced by the use of novel iron alkoxide-coordinated surfactants. Wormhole-like, 2d-centered rectangular, orthorhombic and lamellar mesostructures were obtained by variation of the molar ratios of the metal-surfactant complexes. The influence of a subsequent heat treatment was studied by GI-SAXS, TEM, XRD, and nitrogen sorption techniques. The molecular composition of the films was studied by XPS and EXAFS.