In this study we show that the interaction of a solid metal in the form of wire in the post flame region formed using a biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) fuel (an oxygenated compound) can contribute significantly to the oxidation of the probe's surface resulting in the deposition of metallic nanoparticles and carbon particulates with complex structural morphologies. The FAME used for forming the flame was canola methyl ester (CME). The interaction of the solid support within a flame medium formed using CME resulted in the formation of a distinct material deposition layer covering the surface of the probe. The formed layer was found to consist of clusters composed of aggregates of primary particles with a nearly spherical shape. The aggregates are composed of primary particles of carbon and of metallic characteristics. Other unique features include carbon networks containing numerous encapsulated ultra-small metal particles (<2.0 nm in diameter), elongated carbon nanofibers, metallic nanorods, and carbon-metal composites. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals that the metal nanoparticles have a high degree of crystallinity. It is observed that the time and flame height parameters of the probe-flame interaction are important factors for varying the morphological characteristics of the deposits. Residence times ranging from 40 s to 5 min established a strong correlation to deposit morphology. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of material samples on the formed layers reveals the presence of carbon, iron, nickel, chromium and oxygen. The introduction of a probe with similar characteristics in the post flame region formed with No. 2 diesel fuel and air resulted in a thicker material layer covering the surface of the probe. Electron microscopy and EDX analysis showed that the deposits are composed mostly of carbon clusters and no metal content or other complex form of carbon morphology were detected. (C) 2014 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.