D. Barreca et al. / Inorganica Chimica Acta 380 (2012) 161–166
165
thin films. Preliminary results reported in the present work as a
case study demonstrate the obtainment of highly pure nanocrys-
talline b-Fe2O3 systems with controlled morphology.
To the best of our knowledge, this investigation represents the
first example of application of Fe(hfa)2ꢀTMEDA in CVD processes.
These results represent an interesting starting point for further
studies on the X-ray structure of the complex, as well as on the
interrelations between Fe-O system properties and the processing
conditions. Efforts in this direction are actually under way.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by funding from the European Com-
munity’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under
grant agreement n° ENHANCE-238409. PRIN-COFIN 2008 and
Padova University PRAT 2008/2010 projects are also acknowledged
for financial assistance. Thanks are due to Prof. A. Devi and Dr. M.
Banerjee (Ruhr-University Bochum) for the precursor MS
spectrum, to Mr. Loris Calore and Dr. Roberta Saini (Padova
University) for elemental and thermal analyses, respectively, and
to Mr. Antonio Ravazzolo for skilful technical support.
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The aim of this investigation was to propose an efficient and
low-cost synthesis of Fe(hfa)2ꢀTMEDA, a thermally stable Fe(II)
complex whose properties have never been investigated in detail
up to date. The experimental and theoretical characterization per-
formed in the present work shows that the compound is mono-
meric, with a pseudo-octahedral Fe(II) core, and possesses a
remarkable air stability and a high volatility at moderate tempera-
tures. These properties make Fe(hfa)2ꢀTMEDA an ideal candidate
for the successful utilization in the CVD of nanostructured Fe2O3