Magnetic adsorbent composite

A process for producing a magnetic adsorbent composite which comprises providing a magnetic substrate particle ranging in size from about 100 Angstroms to about 10 millimeters in diameter, providing an organic material which is a solid at room temperature and which at a temperature ranging from about 50.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure decomposes to yield elemental carbon and gaseous product of decomposition, admixing a plurality of said substrate particles with said organic material to form a substantially uniform mixture, heating said mixture to decompose said organic material yielding elemental carbon and gaseous product of decomposition;

• and grinding the resulting carbon-substrate particle mass producing a magnetic adsorbent composite of predetermined size ranging from about one micron to about 10 millimeters in diameter, said magnetic adsorbent being comprised of said substrate particle at least substantially encapsulated with said carbon.