Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Iron Particles Encaged in Carbon Nanocapsules

Abstract

Soot containing carbon-coated iron particles was produced by the arc-evaporation of a Fe-packed graphite rod in a modified fullerene generator. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy revealed that it consisted of carbon nanocapsules encaging α-Fe, γ-Fe and Fe 3 C particles. Helium gas pressure during arc-evaporation was varied from 1 to 5 atm as well as from 50 to 500 Torr. The fraction of the γ-Fe component increased with helium gas pressure. The fraction of α-Fe, γ-Fe and Fe 3 C components in the soot prepared in helium gas of 5 atm was estimated to be 45, 25, and 30 wt%, respectively.