Self-sustaining high-temperature synthesis of carbon-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles from organic and inorganic metal precursors

A systematic study on the synthesis of carbon-encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles by self-sustaining high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is presented. The SHS was carried out using NaN3 as a reducer; and poly(tetrafluoroethene) (C2F4)n, hexachloroethane (C2Cl6) and hexachlorobenzene (C6Cl6) as three various oxidizers. The effect of metal precursor, (Fe(CO)5 or K3[Fe(CN)6]) on the yield, reaction heat, morphology, structure and magnetic properties of the products was investigated. The highest product yield with best magnetic characteristics was obtained from the organometallic iron precursor and C2Cl6 oxidizer.