SBA-15-supported iron nanoparticles with improved optical properties, conductance and capacitance

Abstract Incorporation of iron nanoparticles (FeNP) induced changes in the textural and electrical properties of SBA-15-like silica. Electron microscopy showed that FeNP dispersion occurs mainly inside the channels. Diffuse UV–Vis reflectance spectroscopy revealed a band gap decrease from 2.68 eV to 2.59 eV. Nyquist plots ( Z ″ versus Z ′) were found to fit with an equivalent circuit model consisting of a resistance Rs , a double layer capacitance Q , an electron-transfer resistance R e t and a Warburg impedance Z w . FeNPs and silica deprotonation seem to be responsible of conductance change. SBA-15-Fe appears to be a promising material for electrodes and semi-conductors.