Preparation and characterization of nickel nanoparticles in different carbon matrices

Using the solid-phase pyrolysis and chemical vapor deposition of nickel-phthalocyanine, we have fabricated ferromagnetic Ni nanoparticles in carbon matrices. The composition, structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of samples were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction technique, and ferromagnetic resonance. It is shown that the sizes of nanoparticles can be varied from similar to 10 nm to similar to 500 nm depending on the temperature and time of pyrolysis. The used method allows us to synthesize metal nanoparticles in different carbon matrices: in amorphous carbon plates, in graphitic capsules, and in carbon nanotubes.