Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron microscopy and electron diffraction studies of small particle magnetic systems: Identification of disease specific haemosiderins

Abstract: Mssbauer spectroscopy has shown that the iron-containing cores of the biological iron storage material haemosiderin produced under normal and various pathological conditions are significantly different in their magnetic properties. The differences have been correlated with information on the particle size, morphology, crystallinity and mineral form of the haemosiderin cores obtained by complementary electron microscopy and electron diffraction studies. These results have important implications for the use of Mssbauer spectroscopy in determining the properties of small particle magnetic systems and also considerable relevance for the improved understanding and treatment of iron overload disease.