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journal article·2025-07Open access

One‐Step Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Metastable ε ‐Iron Carbide Nanoparticles with Unique Catalytic Properties Beyond Conventional Iron Catalysts

Yuma Hirayama, Akira Miura, Motoaki Hirayama, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Koji Fujita, Hiroshi Kageyama, Sho Yamaguchi, Tomoo Mizugaki, Takato Mitsudome

Small· Volume 21· Issue 27
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Abstract

Abstract ε ‐Iron carbide has garnered increasing interest for its superior magnetic characteristics and catalytic performance compared to other iron carbides. However, its metastable nature has posed significant challenges for synthesis, often requiring ultrahigh pressure, multistep processes, complex reaction condition control, and highly toxic reagents. Consequently, the properties of ε ‐iron carbide remain largely unexplored. A simplified synthesis method for ε ‐iron carbide can accelerate the exploration of new functionalities. In this study, a novel one‐step selective synthesis method for ε ‐iron carbide nanoparticles under mild conditions via a wet‐chemical approach is presented. In this method, Fe 3 (CO) 12 , cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and bis(pinacolato)diboron (B 2 pin 2 ) are added to hexadecylamine and reacted at 220 °C—a simple process that eliminates the need for extreme pressures and toxic substances. Detailed investigations elucidate the crucial roles of CTAB and B 2 pin 2 in facilitating the selective formation of ε ‐iron carbide. This accessible and efficient synthesis process for ε ‐iron carbide can further enable the discovery of unprecedented catalytic properties in the reductive amination of benzaldehyde, distinct from those of conventional iron nanoparticle catalysts. Density functional theory calculations reveal insights into the electronic states responsible for the distinct activity of the ε ‐iron carbide nanoparticles.
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Research context

NanomaterialsCatalysis & surfaces

OpenAlex topics: Advanced materials and composites · Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research · Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Materials Engineering Science Graduate School of Engineering Science Osaka University 1‐3 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560‐8531 Japan

Division of Applied Chemistry Faculty of Engineering Hokkaido University Kita 13 Sapporo Hokkaido 060‐8628 Japan

PRESTO Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) 4‐1‐8 Honcho Kawaguchi Saitama 333‐0012 Japan

Department of Applied Physics The University of Tokyo 7‐3‐1 Hongo Bunkyo‐ku Tokyo 113‐8656 Japan

RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) 2‐1 Hirosawa Wako Saitama 351‐0198 Japan

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Sakyo‐ku Kyoto 606‐8501 Japan

Department of Material Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Nishikyo‐ku Kyoto 615‐8510 Japan

Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Nishikyo‐ku Kyoto 615‐8510 Japan

Innovative Catalysis Science Division Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (ICS‐OTRI) Osaka University Suita Osaka 565‐0871 Japan

Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Science Osaka University 1‐3 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560‐8531 Japan

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science · Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology

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