Graphite nanosheets doped with Fe, Ni, and N, synthesized in one step, and their unique magnetic performance

Graphite nanosheets (GNs) doped with N, Fe, or Ni were synthesized by pyrolysis of metal tetrapyridinoporphyrazine (MPTpz, M=Fe2+, and Ni2+) and a mixture of MPTpzs in a chemical vapor deposition furnace. The products obtained were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the GNs obtained were investigated at room temperature using a vibrating sample magnetometer with an applied field of −10 000–10 000 Gs. The results show the GNs obtained are terrace-like and ultra-thin, with very high aspect ratio. Fe, Ni and N atoms have been doped to the GNs successfully. There are two types of N atom that are introduced into pure carbon systems: pyrinidic and graphitic N atoms. The GNs obtained exhibit ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. Sample S1, obtained by pyrolysis of a mixture of MPTpzs (M=Fe2+ and Ni2+), have the highest coercivity force. The saturation magnetization (MsMs), remanent magnetization (MrMr), and coercivity (HcHc) values of sample S1 are 24.51 emu g−1, 3.95 emu g−1, and 207.34 Gs, respectively.

Research highlights
► Graphite nanosheets doped with Fe, Ni, and N can be synthesized, in one step, by pyrolysis of MPTpz.
► The graphite nanosheets obtained are terrace-like and ultra-thin, with very high aspect ratio.
► Two types of N atom are introduced into pure carbon systems: pyrinidic and graphitic N atoms.
► The graphite nanosheets obtained exhibit unique magnetic performance.