Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
Using multiple cycles of wet impregnation, drying and calcination procedures it was possible to form haematite nanoparticles within the pore system of mesoporous MCM-48 silica phase. A decoration/coating of the inner surface of the silica walls was indicated by a reduction of the BET surface area, the pore radius as well as HRTEM and EDX investigations. Existence of small, slightly disordered iron (III) oxide nanoparticles was proved by X-ray absorption spectroscopic measurements.