Synthesis and study of magnetic properties of high temperature stable Ni nanoparticles in a nearly amorphous AlPO4 matrix in an oxidative atmosphere

Abstract

Graphitized carbon coated Ni nanoparticles were synthesized in an AlPO₄ matrix in situ in an oxidative atmosphere without using any foreign reducing agent. The Ni nanoparticles were evenly distributed in an inactive AlPO₄ matrix and protected from the oxidation in air up to 900 °C. Carbon coating over the nanoparticles remained intact even when the samples were calcined at 900 °C in air. Magnetization of the Ni nanoparticles in the composite approached ∼89% of their bulk magnetization value when calcined at 900 °C in air. Magnetization increased with increasing the calcination temperature up to 900 °C.