Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Fe-incorporated Carbon Nanofibers by Ion-irradiation Method

Abstract

The Fe-incorporated carbon nanofibers (Fe-CNFs) grew on the graphite plate surface irradiated by Ar⁺ ions with a simultaneous Fe supply. The average diameter and length of the Fe-CNFs were in the range of 10-50 nm and 0.5-3 μm, respectively. As confirmed by TEM observation, the Fe-CNFs thus grown were characterized by amorphous-like or very fine crystalline nature. Compared with bulk Fe, they possessed higher coercivities for both parallel and perpendicular directions to the substrate at room temperature. In addition, magnetic properties of the Fe-CNFs strongly depended on the Fe content: The higher the Fe content, the stronger the saturation magnetization, whereas perpendicular coercivity was obtained for lower Fe supply rates.