Facile fabrication of magnetic-cobalt-nanoparticle-plated carbon aerogel by an electroless plating strategy

Coating of magnetic metal nanoparticles on carbon aerogel (CA) is of great significance and urgency for applications such as electromagnetic absorption and shielding. In this study, using a new electroless plating strategy, and the effects of experimental parameters, such as activation time, plating loading, bath temperature, pH value and reductant concentration on the coating amount, particles size distribution, as well as the microstructural morphology of Co/CA were systematically investigated. Overall, the maximum Co coating amount reached 73.6%, with outstanding conductivity and magnetic performances. The saturation magnetization strength of the as-obtained Co/CA was 67.1 emu g −1 , the residual magnetization strength was 16.6 emu g −1 and the coercive force was 711.9 Oe, higher than those of similar Co@C@CA and Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@CA in literature. In addition, this paper also clarified the mechanism of activation and plating of a Co-plated CA, setting the foundation for its development and possible applications. Graphical abstract