Iron nanoparticles: Synthesis and applications in surface enhanced Raman scattering and electrocatalysis

The microemulsion method is employed to synthesize iron nanoparticles with an average size of ∼3 nm using trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as a stabilizing agent. The morphology, structure, and composition of the nanoparticles are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The iron nanoparticles show a remarkable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and the scheme of iron nanoparticle-on-electrode is successfully used in the in situ SERS study of adsorbed molecules. Electrocatalysis over the iron nanoparticles is demonstrated in the highly efficient and selective reduction of H₂O₂ in the presence of oxygen.