Formation of metal-carbon nanocomposites based on Cu-Fe alloy nanoparticles and carbonized polyacrylonitrile

A method for the synthesis of nanoparticles of the Cu-Fe bimetallic system with limited mutual solubility of the components is proposed. The synthesis method consists of a one-stage process of IR pyrolysis of precursors in the form of films obtained from a joint solution of polyacrylonitrile and hydrates-nitrates of iron and copper. The effect of the synthesis temperature on the structure formation of the nanocomposites and the phase composition of bimetallic Cu-Fe nanoparticles dispersed in the carbon matrix was studied. The analysis showed a simultaneous presence of Fe and Cu phases in nanocomposites, presumably with a low solubility of the components. The average particle size is 14-17 nm and changes insignificantly with an increase in the synthesis temperature from 400 to 700°C. An increase in the synthesis temperature to 800°C led to a broadening of the particle size distribution and the increase in the average size. The formation of complex carbon nanostructures on Cu-Fe nanoparticles is found.