Mössbauer study of products from the arc synthesis of Fe-carbon nanoclusters

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research into the phase and magnetic state of products of the arc synthesis of Fe-carbon nanoclusters by Mössbauer spectroscopy. These nanoclusters are prepared by the burning of iron-graphite electrodes and carbon-condensate extraction in organic solvents of varying polarity. The local inhomogeneity of the distribution of iron atoms is revealed in the studied samples. It is found that iron atoms are distributed between four iron-containing phases: α-Fe, γ-Fe, FeC_n and iron carbide FeC₂ at different ratios with an accuracy to the resonant absorption factor f. It is shown that the singlet line with a negative chemical shift observed in the Mössbauer spectra of the samples corresponds to the γ-Fe phase and not to iron metallofullerene.