Synthesis of well-defined iron nanoparticles on a spherical model support

Spherical model catalysts consisting of SiO₂-sphere-supported iron nanoparticles were prepared using the colloidal synthesis approach, the reverse microemulsion and the ammonia deposition methods. Amongst these synthesis methods, the colloidal synthesis approach was found to be the most promising synthesis route for the Fe/SiO₂ model catalysts. The modified colloidal synthesis method produced nearly monodisperse spherical-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles with average diameters of 6.2 ± 0.9 nm on the SiO₂ spheres. Morphological changes were observed on the spherical Fe/SiO₂ model catalysts after the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.