Synthesis and characterization of Fe and composite Fe-TiN nanoparticles by dc arc-plasma

Fe and composite Fe-TiN nanoparticles were prepared by an active plasma-metal reaction method. The structure and morphology were examined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopic observation and Moessbauer experiment. The morphology of Fe is spherical and that of the composite Fe-TiN nanoparticle is dumbbell-like. The surface oxide of the nanoparticles exposed to air was characterized and the reduction characteristics in a hydrogen atmosphere were examined. The thermal stability of the nanocomposite particle is vastly superior to that of the metal particle. The hydrogen sorption-desorption characteristics of the nanoparticles were examined by temperature-programmed desorption measurements. Hydrogen desorption at above 450 K was observed for the composite Fe-TiN nanoparticles. The effect of CO coadsorption on the hydrogen desorption was also examined and a large amount of hydrogen desorption was observed