One step synthesis of nanoparticles of cobalt in a graphitic shell anchored on graphene sheets

Cobalt core/graphite shell nanostructures anchored on graphene sheets have been prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process. Transmission electron microscope images show that the cobalt nanoparticles (10–30 nm) are encapsulated by a graphitic shell with a thickness of ∼3 nm. Magnetic measurements reveal that the material has a typical ferromagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 71.7 emu g−1 at room temperature.