Synthesis and properties of magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes loaded with Fe4N nanoparticles

High saturation magnetization (> 90 emu/g) multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Fe4N nanoparticles composite were successfully synthesized by gas nitriding at 550 degrees C. Almost all Fe4N nanoparticles were evenly distributed inside the carbon nanotubes and formed a special composite microstructure. This composite microstructure shows excellent soft magnetic property, structural stability, and chemical stability at room temperature. The investigations of electromagnetic and microwave absorption performances indicate that microwave absorbing capacity of low frequency band of MWCNTs were greatly improved by addition of Fe4N nanoparticles. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.