Synthesis and properties of Co-carbon nanocomposites using synthetic fulvic acids

New simple, rapid, cheap and effective method for preparation of magnetic carbon encapsulated Co nanoparticles by catalytic carbonization of cobalt(II) fulvate is presented. The ≿obalt(II) fulvate being obtained by precipitation of synthetic fulvic acid by Co(NO3)2 was used both as the metal containing precursor and as a source of carbon. The structure and composition of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), voltamperometry, and elemental analysis. The nanocomposites have high content of cobalt (44%) and possess very high saturation magnetization (Ms = 162.5 emu/g) and low coercivity (Hc = 0.018 KOe). The treatment of the obtained nanocomposite by the hot concentrated nitric acid results in a complete dissolution of the metal. The TEM study of the received graphite like phase has shown the presence in the composition of the elongated structures that can be carbon nanotubes with lots of layers or carbon nanofibers. The porous structure of nanocomposite and the graphite like phase were investigated using the nitrogen volumetric adsorption. [Display omitted] •A new simple, rapid, cheap technique for producing the Co-carbon nanocomposites was developed.•A complex study of the obtained Co-carbon nanocomposites was carried out.•A porous structure of Co/C nanocomposite and grafit-like phase were investigated.