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 K₃Fe(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.