One-pot template-free synthesis of urchin-like Co2C/Co3C hybrid nanoparticles

Urchin-like Co2C/Co3C hybrid nanoparticles were fabricated via a one-pot template-free solvothermal approach. Morphologies, structures and magnetic properties of the urchin-like Co2C/Co3C hybrid nanoparticles were investigated through different analytical tools. Our results indicated that Co2C nanoparticles are encapsulated in Co3C nanosheets, forming core-shell structured Co2C/Co3C nanourchins. Magnetic assay revealed that the urchin-like Co2C/Co3C hybrid nanoparticles were ferromagnetic with a saturation magnetization of 75.9 emu g(-1). This work not only gives new insight into the fabrication of urchin-like Co2C/Co3C hybrid nanoparticles but also opens the way for the controllable synthesis of other transition metal carbides nanoparticles for diverse application requirements. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.