Iron nanoparticles: Synthesis and applications in surface enhanced Raman scattering and electrocatalysis

The microemulsion method is employed to synthesize iron nanoparticles with an average size of ∽3 nm using trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as a stabilizing agent. The morphology, structure, and composition of the nanoparticles are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–VIS spectroscopy. The iron nanoparticles show a remarkable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and the scheme of iron nanoparticle-on-electrode is successfully used in the in situ SERS study of adsorbed molecules. Electrocatalysis over the iron nanoparticles is demonstrated in the highly efficient and selective reduction of H2O2 in the presence of oxygen.

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