CLUSTERS IN A POLYMER MATRIX .2. INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPOSITION ANDSTRUCTURE OF IRON-CONTAINING CLUSTERS IN A POLYETHYLENE MATRIX

The composition and structure of iron clusters stabilized in a polyeth ylene matrix containing 3 to 50 wt% Fe were investigated by x-ray emis sion spectroscopy and Mossbauer effect measurements. The interaction o f iron clusters with the polyethylene matrix leads to dehydration of p olyethylene and formation of chemical bonds between valence p-electron s of surface iron atoms and electrons of polyethylene. Polyethylene do es not prevent oxidation of iron clusters. All cluster particles, irre spective of iron content in the polyethylene matrix, are multiphase. T he major phases are iron oxide in the range 5 to 40 wt% Fe and iron ca rbide between 40 and 50 wt% Fe.