β-Fe2O3 nanomaterials from an iron(ii) diketonate-diamine complex: a study from molecular precursor to growth process

Iron oxide is a key multi-functional material in many different fields of modern technology. The beta-Fe2O3 cubic phase, one of the least studied Fe–O systems, was obtained by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) using for the first time a Fe(II) beta-diketonate diamine complex, Fe(hfa)2·TMEDA, as the molecular source (hfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate; TMEDA = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine).The strong visible light absorption of beta-Fe2O3 deposits highlights their possible functional application in photocatalytic hydrogen production under solar light. A comprehensive investigation on the Fe(II) complex, performed by a joint experimental–theoretical approach, explains the molecular origin of its excellent thermal behaviour and reveals why this species is a successful precursor for the CVD of iron oxide nanostructures.