Intermatrix Synthesis of Magnetic Nanocrystals by Frontal Polymerization and Subsequent Pyrolysis of Iron Containing Monomer

Ferromagnetic composites, consisting of either Fe or Fe₃C nanocrystals stabilized in a carbon matrix, were prepared by the procedure including formation of an iron acrylamide complex, followed by frontal polymerization and pyrolysis of the polymer at various temperatures. The pyrolysis products were in a form of coarse powder particles having irregular shape and size. These particles contained, in their volume, randomly distributed nanocrystals having sizes from 10 to 80 of nm. The crystallite composition and size depended on the pyrolysis temperature. Ferromagnetic properties of the nanocomposites were confirmed by the magnetic measurements.