| Abstract Scope |
Iron-based magnetic carbonaceous nanocomposites are a topic of current research interest involving different fields (e.g. removal of pollutants, electrochemical sensors, catalysts or electromagnetic absorbents). In this work, Fe-C nanocomposites, synthesized through the thermal decomposition of sugars (i.e. fructose), are comparatively analyzed, employing as Fe precursor FeCl3 or Fe3O4 nanoparticles under conventional thermal treatments; Fe3O4 nanoparticles submitted to a RF magnetic field (Magnetic Induction Heating, MIH). While conventional high temperature (≥ 800 oC) thermal treatments are able to fully decompose the organic matrix and reduce Fe (graphitic carbon matrix and α-Fe/Fe3C nanoparticles), MIH procedure leads to amorphous carbon coatings surrounding the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The decomposition process and the final structural and magnetic properties of the composites were comparatively analyzed (TGA, FTIR, X-Ray diffraction, TEM, BET surface area, Raman spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry). The pollutant adsorption capacity (Cr (VI) removal from aqueous media) of the magnetic composites is finally outlined. |