ENCAPSULATION OF IRON CARBIDE IN CARBON NANOCAPSULES

Whiskers of iron carbide encased in carbon shells have been prepared f rom iron(II) phthalocyanine. Solid FePc is oxygenated and then thermal ly treated under H-2 flow. With proper control of conditions, Fe3C fre e from metallic iron can be synthesized. The product was characterized with the help of Mossbauer effect spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X- ray absorption, and transmission electron microscopy. The iron carbide whiskers range in length from 300 to 500 nm, and their widths are app roximately 100 nm. The carbon coating is uniform and about 2.7 nm wide .