Preparation and Properties of FeCo Nanoparticles

Fe-Co nanoparticles were prepared from the binary Fe-Co oxalate. The formation of FeCo metallic phase begun at 290 deg. C as determined from the X-ray diffraction patterns recorded during heating of the oxalate sample in hydrogen atmosphere. The reduction finished at 500 deg. C by formation of bcc FeCo phase with a mean particle size of about 50 nm. Analysis of the Moessbauer spectra shows that the ferromagnetic FeCo phase is represented by two sextets corresponding to interiors and surfaces of the nanoparticles. In addition, a weak paramagnetic component, represented by the doublet, was observed which was ascribed to fine particles in a superparamagnetic state. TEM images have shown conglomerates of particles with the composition of about 50 at. % Fe and 50 at. % Co.