<i>In situ</i> laser‐induced formation of α‐Fe₂O₃ from Fe³⁺ ions in a cylindrical core‐shell polymer brush

Abstract

Abstract The Raman spectrum of a cylindrical core‐shell polymer brush containing Fe 3+ ions was measured in a confocal spectrometer equipped with an He–Ne laser. During irradiation, the polymer matrix decomposed, and carbonaceous compounds containing sp 2 and sp 3 hybridized carbon were formed. Simultaneously, the strong and narrow Raman lines of crystalline α‐Fe 2 O 3 (hematite) began to show up in the spectrum. After prolonged irradiation, the carbon signals decreased, whereas the hematite peaks remained strong. Similar experiments with the same polymer containing Cu 2+ ions resulted only in very weak formation of cupric oxide. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.