Fine metal or alloy particles dispersed in carbon (C) can be used in catalysis or in magnetic materials. Metal is dispersed in C either by the pyrolysis of organometallics or by reduction of metal chlorides intercalated in graphite. However the method of placing alloys in C by intercalation has not yet been successfully achieved.

Now, scientists in Japan (1) have developed a method to disperse fine particles of Pd-Fe alloy in a C matrix. This was achieved first by reduction of PdCl₂ with natural graphite flake. After heat and other treatments coin-shaped Pd metal particles of ~ 50 nm were formed within the carbon layers.

FeCl₃ was then intercalated using the conventional two-bulb method. Reduction resulted in Pd and Fe coexisting within the graphite. To create an alloy the sample was further heat treated in high purity argon. XRD indicated lines of crystallised Pd-Fe alloy. This alloy was found to contain 6 wt.% Pd and 15 wt.% Fe.