Two basis objectives of fundamental research are projected. The first one concerns the structural and magnetic charachteristics of thin (order of 50-500 nm) films of iron oxides, in a first stage of x-Fe2O3. A second main subject is related to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) catalytically grown in Fe-bearing matrices. Here, the focus lies on the thorough characterization of the Fe-containing nanoparticles that are involved in the catalytic process.