A process for synthesizing carbon-metal nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of preparing a metal derivative or a metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form, and subjecting the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to microwave radiation at a frequency in the range of 900 MHz to 5.8 GHz, for a period of time effective to generate a heat flow from inside of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to the outside such that the temperature of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form reaches 1,000° C. in less than 6 minutes with a temperature (T) derivative over time (t), ΔT/Δt, no less than 2.5° C./second to form carbon-metal nanocomposites.