Preparation of ordered magnetic iron nanowires in the mesoporous silica matrix

We report the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites using mesoporous silica as a host material. Iron nanoparticles were incorporated into the pores of mesoporous silica. During the synthesis, a hydrophobic metal complex, Fe(CO)(5), was introduced into the hydrophobic part of the as-prepared mesoporous silica-surfactant composite. The suggested method results in the formation of iron nanowires inside the silica framework. Particles shape and size are in good agreement with the shape and size of the pores. Particles are uniform and well ordered in the silica matrix. Thus, mesoporous silica serves as nanoreactor for the formation of Fe-nanoparticles. The magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate superparamagnetic properties of all samples. This approach leads to functional materials with nanosized active elements in amorphous silica matrix, which could find application as high-density data storage devices. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.