Effect of the Temperature of Preliminary Treatment on the Structural Characteristics of Highly Porous Iron-Containing Metal–Carbon Nanocomposites during Their Production

An approach to the synthesis of metal-carbon nanocomposites, comprising iron-containing nanoparticles distributed in a highly porous carbon support based on pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, has been developed. It is shown that metal nanoparticles form in situ during pyrolysis of the polymer and the formation of a porous carbon matrix. Features of the formation of iron-containing particles are investigated, depending on the temperature of preliminary treatment (200, 500, and 800°C) and on the final temperature of synthesis, which varied from 500 to 900°C. The change in the specific surface area of the carbon support is shown, depending on the conditions of preparation. The formation of phases α-Fe, γ-Fe, and KFeO2 is observed in addition to that of iron carbide nanoparticles.