Hierarchical heterostructure built on the basis of SiO2 dielectric matrix and supramolecular complex β-cyclodextrin-ferrocene: Fabrication, physical properties and applications

•A clathrate of hierarchical architecture of the sub-host-host -guest type has been formed, in which the supramolecular complex preserves the identity of each component.•Despite the paramagnetic properties of the components, the synthesized clathrate has a high magnetic susceptibility characteristic of ferromagnetic substances. The specific saturation magnetization was measured in a magnetic field of 800 kA·m−1, was 0.6 A·m2·kg−1, and the coercive force of the composite was 2 kA·m−1. Ferromagnetism is due to the oxidation of iron in the structure of ferrocene with the formation of ferromagnetic iron compounds, magnetite, and maghemite.•High values of photo- and magnetoresistive and capacitive effects have been recorded for the synthesized clathrate, which opens the prospect of its application for the manufacture of sensitive magnetic field and lighting sensors of resistive and capacitive type.•The measured I – V characteristics have an oscillating alternating character, which is caused by the effect of tunneling current carriers and its simultaneous limitation by a localized charge, like the Coulomb blockade. In this case, 285 mV thermo-electromotive force, 177 mV spin-electromotive force, and 560 mV photo-electromotive force were recorded at room temperature. The paper presents the results of the study of the characteristics of SDM clathrate. The method of X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the identity of the components of the formed clathrate SDM. Vibration magnetometric analysis revealed the fact of iron oxidation in the ferrocene structure with the formation of ferromagnetic iron compounds. The nature of the change in the frequency behavior of its impedance, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss tangent have been established under normal conditions, in a constant magnetic field, and under illumination. The obtained results testify to the manifestation of quantum capacitance, the inductance of photo- and magneto-resistive and capacitive effects, and magneto-induced quantum accumulation of electric energy. The I–V characteristics are oscillating in nature, like the I–V characteristics in the Coulomb blockade. Along with this, the I–V characteristics do not pass through the origin, thus fixing the thermo-EMF, spin EMF, and photo-EMF. [Display omitted]