Synthesis and characteristics of iron nanoparticles in a carbon matrix along with the catalytic graphitization of amorphous carbon Original Research Article

Iron nanoparticles in a carbon matrix were synthesized by in situ pyrolysis of maleic anhydride and ferrocene, using different molecular weight percentages. The characterization and magnetic properties of the carbon–iron system were investigated systematically. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed that the as-prepared samples consist of nanometric dark grains (iron-rich phase) embedded in a light matrix (carbon-rich phase). X-ray diffraction and TEM selected area diffraction revealed catalytic graphitization and iron phases present in the sample. The carbon–metal system shows a finite hysteresis loop even at room temperature indicating its ferromagnetic nature. The saturation magnetization equals the bulk iron carbide value at low temperature. The coercive force exhibits 1/d dependence at low temperature having a maximum HC of 2 kOe for the lowest iron concentration sample.