The Nano-Confinement Effect on the SCO Behavior of [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2 1D Chains in MCM-41

Abstract

A polymeric chain spin-crossover (SCO) compound [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2 was embedded in the pores of mesoporous silica MCM-41, which yielded an M@S composite. The obtained material was characterized by infrared spectrometry, powder X-ray diffractometry, gas sorption studies, electron microscopy, and atomic absorption. The temperature-induced SCO behavior of the composite was monitored by temperature-variable magnetic measurement. The results indicate that the spin transition curve of the composite was evidently shifted to a higher temperature in comparison to bulk [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2. The shift in the transition temperature for M@S [versus bulk [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2] amounted to Tc↑ = 362 K [347 K] and Tc↓ = 327 K [314 K] (magnetic data). The significant difference in the SCO behavior of [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2 when embedded in the MCM-41 matrix may be attributed to the strengthened cooperativity of compound S and the nano-confinement pressure of SiO2 walls.