Preparation of iron carbide and iron nanoparticles by laser-induced gas phase pyrolysis

Iron carbides and iron composites preseal a particular interest due to their magnetic and catalytic properties which could be highly enhanced if particles in the nanometric size range were used. We present results on the synthesis and characterization of iron-carbide nanoparticles by sensitized CO2 laser pyrolysis or gas mixtures containing iron pentacarbonyl (vapors) and ethylene/acetylene precursors. The influence of the nature of hydrocarbon on the structural properties of the nanopowders are revealed by different analytical techniques (IR spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy).