Synthesis of metal-carbon core-shell nanoparticles by RAPET (Reaction under Autogenic Pressure at Elevated Temperatures)

We present herein a method to produce metal-carbon core-shell nanoparticles by dissociating the corresponding metal acetates under their autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures. The reaction is a one-stage, solvent-free, catalyst-free, competent, and a very cheap way for the synthesis of metal@carbon nanoparticles with a core-shell structure. The morphology, air-stability, structure, and other properties of the as-prepared Ag@C, Cu@C and Pb@C nanoparticles are demonstrated in this paper. We also provide a criterion for those metals whose acetates would yield metal@carbon structures, as opposed to those metals whose acetates would yield MO@C as the final product.