Synthesis of α"-(Fe,M)16N2 Nanoparticles Obtained by Hydrogen Reduction and Subsequent Nitridation Starting From α-(Fe,M)OOH (M = Co, Al)

The metastable alpha ''-Fe16N2 is considered to be a candidate for rare earth-free semi-hard magnetic materials. However, it is necessary to improve the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of alpha ''-Fe16N2 to obtain higher coercivity, H-c. Many theoretical calculations and thin-film experiments have been performed by the substitution of Fe with elements such as Co, Ni, Mn, and Al. For example, Co is suggested to increase the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The nitridation of alpha-Fe nanoparticles produced by the reduction of an iron hydroxide such as alpha-FeOOH is well known as one method for the synthesis of alpha ''-Fe16N2 nanoparticles. We have previously reported the influence of Co or Al substitution for Fe by the synthesis of alpha ''-(Fe, Co)(16)N-2 or alpha ''-(Fe, Al)(16)N-2 nanoparticles, and revealed that Co substitution results in very narrow limits of the temperature regions for reduction and nitridation, while Al substitution results in wider temperature regions. Here, we attempt the synthesis of alpha ''-(Fe0.95Co0.02Al0.03)(16)N-2 nanoparticles by hydrogen reduction of alpha-(Fe0.95Co0.02Al0.03)OOH as a starting material and subsequent nitridation to investigate the complex effect of Fe substitution by Co and Al.