The Purity and Thermal Stability in Air of Metal‐Encapsulating Carbon Nanocapsules (MECNCs)

Abstract

Rare earth elements (Y, La, Ce, Nd, Gd and Dy) encapsulated by carbon nanocapsules (CNCs) were synthesized and their purity and air oxidation stability were estimated. The purity was estimated as the rare earth carbide content. Gd‐ and Dy‐encapsulating CNCs had higher than 30 wt% and others 15 to 20 wt%. Encapsulated rare earth carbide was oxidized by heating in air at 400°C or higher. This suggested oxidation damage to the graphene capsules of CNCs.

Keywords:

• Metal encapsulating carbon nanocapsules
• rare earth
• carbide
• purity
• thermal stability

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Research on Advanced Medical Technology in Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. A part of this study was also supported by Grant‐in‐Aid for Scientific Research (B) No.18390509 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.