A possible FeSbO4 phase was detected at a poreless silica surface usin
g Mossbauer spectroscopy and infrared absorption of pyridine adsorbed
on the surface. The phase was obtained from Fe(CO)(5) as starting mate
rial, without calcination treatment. Attempts to synthesizing the FeSb
O4 phase using a porous silica gel, under these conditions failed. The
influence of the pores on the support is discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier
Science Ltd. All rights reserved.