Low temperature solventless synthesis and characterization of Ni and Fe magnetic nanoparticles.

We have successfully implemented a facile, one-pot solventless synthesis procedure starting from acetylacetonate salts and CaH2 to obtain carbon-coated ferromagnetic metallic Ni and Fe nanoparticles at low temperature. The use of CaH2 as a reductant drastically reduces reaction temperature down to 140 degrees C.