X-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism in CVD grown carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Nowadays, a deep knowledge of procedures of synthesis of nanostructured materials plays an important role in achieving nano-materials with accurate and wanted properties and performances. Carbon-based nanostructured materials continue to attract a huge amount of research efforts, because of their wide-ranging properties. Using X-ray absorption (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy in the soft X-ray regime, by the synchrotron radiation, we studied the L3,2 absorption edges of iron (Fe) nanoparticles, when they are embedded in oriented MultiWall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNTs) layers grown by thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique catalyzed by this transition metal. This could allow us to understand the valence state and role of catalysts and thus their electronic and magnetic structures. It is important to note that the control of the size of these tethered nanoparticles is of primary importance for the purpose of tailoring the physical and chemical properties of these hierarchical materials. The MWCNTs samples used in XAS and XMCD measurements were synthesized by the CVD technique. The actual measurements were carried out by the group NEXT of the INFN- LNF with the logistic experimental support of the INFM-CNR and the Synchrotron Elettra Trieste.