Fe K-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Determination of γ-Al2 O3 -Supported Iron-Oxide Species

The structure of FeOx species supported on γ-Al2 O3 was investigated by using Fe K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The samples were prepared through the impregnation of iron nitrate on Al2 O3 and co-gelation of aluminum and iron sulfates. The dependence of the XRD patterns on Fe loading revealed the formation of α-Fe2 O3 particles at an Fe loading of above 10 wt %, whereas the formation of iron-oxide crystals was not observed at Fe loadings of less than 9.0 wt %. The Fe K-edge XAFS was characterized by a clear pre-edge peak, which indicated that the FeO coordination structure deviates from central symmetry and that the degree of FeOFe bond formation is significantly lower than that in bulk samples at low Fe loading (<9.0 wt %). Fe K-edge extended XAFS oscillations of the samples with low Fe loadings were explained by assuming an isolated iron-oxide monomer on the γ-Al2 O3 surface.