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 similar to3 nm using trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as a stabilizing agent. The morphology, structure, and composition of the nano particles are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray phot oelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The iron nanoparticle s 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 nano particles is demonstrated in the highly efficient and selective reduction o f H2O2 in the presence of oxygen.