Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized iron partilces on a polystyrene support as potential Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

A polymeric material containing nanoparticles of Fe(0) and polystyrene can be conveniently prepared by the thermal treatment of a solution containing iron pentacarbonyl and styrene monomer in hexadecane. TEM data showed that the mean particle size of synthesized Fe particles is 44 nm and the Fe particles are well dispersed throughout the polystyrene matrix. The Fe-PST material, as prepared under an inert atmosphere, contained Fe particles in zero-valent oxidation state that appeared as black particles. On exposure to air, the iron slowly started to oxidize to a brick red material, i.e., iron oxide.