γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle in NaY-zeolite matrix: Preparation, characterization, and heterogeneous catalytic epoxidation of olefins

Abstract Nano-sized crystals of maghemite iron oxide (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ) were synthesized onto the surface of NaY-zeolite crystals by immobilizing a polynuclear iron complex [Fe 4 O 2 (O 2 CCH 3 ) 7 (bpy) 2 ](ClO 4 ) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and subsequent calcination of the material in oxygen. Superparamagnetic γ-Fe 2 O 3 particles with sizes ∼5 nm were formed on the surface of the zeolite matrix. The nano-composite, γ-Fe 2 O 3 @NaY has been subsequently subjected for thorough characterization with several spectroscopic techniques as well as magnetic and transmission electron microscopic measurements. This confirms the formation of maghemite nanoparticles on a NaY-zeolite surface. γ-Fe 2 O 3 @NaY…