Formation of iron dispersed graphite composites utilizing exfoliated graphite and their magnetic properties

An organic solution of tris (acetylacetonato) iron (III) was impregnated by sorption into exfoliated graphite and dried at 180°C in air. By 1 h treatment of this precursor at 900-1200°C in Ar (heating rate to each temperature: 400 Kh-1), iron/graphite composites containing 33 mass% Fe were obtained. In these composites fine α-Fe particles of several tens to hundreds nanometers were uniformly dispersed, though the surface of some particles may be oxidized by exposure to air. For the 1000°C product, magnetization assigned for iron was 154 emu g-1, and the coercive force, Hc, 420 Oe