Identification of a Fe(OH)2-like phase in the core–shell structure of nano-zero-valent Fe and its evolution when interacting with Pd2+aq ions by Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS, and TEM

Synthesized [email protected] nanoparticles (NPs) were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy to resolve the presence of a Fe(OH)2-like phase. The different phases detected in core–shell nanostructure these NPs corroborated Mössbauer X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Metallic iron (Fe0), ferrous (FeII) hydroxide, magnetite (FeIII2FeIIO4), top layer ferric (FeIII) oxide identified. Interestingly, hydroxide reacted with Pd2+aq upon coating supporting material when Pd was added produce protected]/Pd NPs.