On the Presence of Fe(IV) in Fe-ZSM-5 and FeSrO3-xUnequivocal Detection of the 3d4 Spin System by Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

Abstract
The contribution of a 3d(4) spin configuration to the valence electronic structure of Fe compounds can be probed via spin-selective Fe K-pre-edge absorption spectra, using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). The 3d(4) configuration of Fe(IV) can be unequivocally detected even in a mixture with the high-spin 3d(5) configuration of Fe(III). This is demonstrated on the perovskite FeSrO(3-x) with formal oxidation state Fe(IV). When the technique was applied to an Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst during reaction with N(2)O, no 3d(4) configuration was detected. The formation of Fe(IV) upon reaction of Fe-ZSM-5 with N(2)O can, therefore, be ruled out.