Solution photolysis of ferrocene into Fe-based nanoparticles

ArF laser photolysis of ferrocene in hexane yields hydrocarbons produced from both intermediate cyclopentadienyl radical and the solvent, and it affords chemical solution-phase deposition of Fe-based particles which consist of a Fe core and oxidized outer layers. These particles are covered with a carbonaceous polymer, they have a characteristic UV spectrum and show both a ferromagnetic (T = 5 K) and superparamagnetic (T > 120 K) behaviour.