Magnetic and structural properties of nanophase Ag_xFe_1-x solid solution particles

In this study, silver and iron elements are evaporated simultaneously to form nanocrystalline solid solution particles and then quench to liquid nitrogen temperature. The average composition of the nanocrystalline Ag-Fe system and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy is close to the gross composition of the raw materials. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate only Ag peaks in those of the nanocrystalline Ag-Fe solid solutions. Transmission electron microscopy images of the Ag-Fe system indicates a mean particle of about 10 nm for these nanocrystalline solid solutions. The magnetic properties of Ag-Fe systems depend on the mean particle's sizes and the concentration of solid solutions. The temperature dependence of the magnetic properties is analyzed and related to the microstructural changes induced by the thermal treatments. Nanocrystalline Ag-Fe system with a Curie temperature of Fe occurs at about 580°C. The magnetization and remanence of as prepared or after heat-treatment nanocrystalline Ag-Fe solid solutions increase with increasing atomic percentage of iron.