Exotic in shape particles obtained by low temperature pyrolysis of ferrocene

Particles have been synthesized symmetrically towards 3 mutually perpendicular axes and of size of the order of a few microns. The synthesis has been done in a hermetically sealed steel container through pyrolytic decomposition of mixtures: ferrocene and xylene; ferrocene and water; ferrocene, xylene and water in different ratios. The experiments have been made in the temperature range 400–800 °С. Most of the presented results have been obtained at linear temperature increase of 20 °C/min up to 600 °С and cooling rate of 30 °C/min down to room temperature. The particles are shaped as spheres, entirely or partially finished octahedrons or they resemble stars. The spheres are perfect in shape and consist of pure incompletely graphitisized carbon. The particles of octahedron and star-like shape have magnetite nuclei and carbon coatings. Particle morphology has been examined by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), and their chemical composition and crystal structure by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy and Electron Probe X-ray Micro Analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). Based on the results obtained, it has been concluded that the synthesized particle morphology depends on the simultaneous proceeding of two synthesis processes. One of them leads to magnetite crystal growth and the other one to crystal coating with incompletely graphitisized carbon deposit.