One-step chemical synthesis of MgCNi3 nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanosheets utilizing waste polyethylene as carbon source

MgCNi3 nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanosheets have been successfully synthesized from waste polyethylene (PE) by one-step chemical reaction at a relatively low temperature of 800 degrees C. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that the obtained sample is anti-perovskite structured MgCNi3. Transmission electron microscopy image shows that MgCNi3 nanoparticles are embedded in the carbon nanosheets. Magnetization measurement shows that the obtained sample has a superconducting transition at 6.8 K. This method is not only to develop an effective method to synthesize MgCNi3 superconductor under mild conditions but also to provide a novel technique to convert waste polyethylene to valuable carbide materials.