In situ laser-induced formation of α-Fe2O3 from Fe3+ ions in a cylindrical core-shell polymer brush

The Raman spectrum of a cylindrical core-shell polymer brush containing Fe3+ 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 alpha-Fe2O3 (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 Cu2+ ions resulted only in very weak formation of cupric oxide. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.