Preparation and magnetic properties of ordered iron nanowires in mesoporous silica matrix

In the present study we provide results on controllable growth of iron nanowires in MCM-41 matrices with different pore diameters. Iron-containing nanocomposites were prepared by incorporation of Fe(CO)5 into the hydrophobic part of silica/surfactant composite, followed by UV-treatment in vacuum and crystallization in hydrogen flow. The morphology and magnetic properties of obtained composites depend on pore diameter of the matrix and crystallization temperature. The proposed method enables us to control the anisotropy and magnetic properties of nanostructures formed in the mesoporous silica matrix and allows to obtain highly anisotropic nanostructures with ferromagnetic properties at room temperature.