Process for preparing magnetic graphitic materials, and materials thereof

A process of preparing magnetic graphitic materials, characterized by comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a reactor with a second container containing a material comprising graphite and a first container containing at least one transition metal oxide, the graphite and at least one transition metal oxide being finely divided, the first and second containers being placed in close physical proximity, the proportion by volume of graphite and at least one transition metal oxide being of about 1:1, wherein the reactor comprises a closed reaction system, under pressure with values from high vacuum (10−7 torr) to 10 atmospheres, in the presence of an inert gas introduced through an inlet and vacuum made through an outlet, the reactor being kept at temperatures between a reaction start temperature of about 600° C. and a melting temperature of at least one transition metal oxide with the aid of heating devices for 6 to 36 hours, whereby:
• i) the transition metal oxide, upon decomposing by action of the temperature, generates a proportion of oxygen gas sufficient to cause oxidative attack on the graphite and generating pores therein;
• and
• ii) the transition metal oxide is reduced completely to the null oxidation state, whereas the material in the second container at the end of the process exhibits two zones, an upper zone thereof being constituted by a carbonaceous material having an amorphous aspect and magnetic properties at room temperature, the carbonaceous material having a structure having pores and edges of exposed graphenes, and a lower zone thereof being a non-magnetic phase;
• b) at the end of the desired reaction time, recovering the graphitic material with stable magnetic properties at room temperature.