$Fe_2O_3/SiO_2$ Hybrid Nanocomposites Studied Mainly by Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Magnetic nanocomposites exhibit promising applications in many areas, for example optics, electronics, biology, medicine, etc. The main goal of this study was to synthesize magnetic ε-$Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles embedded in amorphous $SiO_2$. These materials were prepared by the help of ultrasonic activation and subsequent annealing in nitrogen atmosphere or air with concentrations of iron oxide of about 20 and 30 wt.%. The structure and properties of the final product were analysed by the Mössbauer spectrometry as well as by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. They strongly depend on the initial conditions of preparation.