Surface structure analysis of stabilized iron particles by XPS with chemical derivatization

The surface structure of iron particles stabilized by oleic acid and unsaturated alcohol, isophytol, was studied by XPS and chemical derivatization. It was shown that there are hydroxyl groups, iron carboxylate complexes, and iron complexes coordinated with alcohol groups in the proportion one part metal to one part ligand on the outer surface of the stabilizing coating. The formation of stabilizing layers based on unsaturated compounds leads to the conversion of double bonds, resulting in the polymerization of oleic acid and isophytol in condensed close-packed self-organizing stabilizing layers on the surface of iron particles.