Cluster Synthesis and Direct Ordering of Rare-Earth Transition-Metal Nanomagnets

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Nano Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/nl200311w· OSTI ID:1211195

Balasubramanian, B; Skomski, R; Li, XZ; Valloppilly, SR; Shield, JE; Hadjipanayis, GC; Sellmyer, DJ

Rare-earth transition-metal (R-TM) alloys show superior permanent magnetic properties in the bulk, but the synthesis and application of R-TM nanoparticles remains a challenge due to the requirement of high-temperature annealing above about 800 degrees C for alloy formation and subsequent crystalline ordering. Here we report a single-step method to produce highly ordered R-TM nanoparticles such as YCo(5) and Y(2)Co(17), without high-temperature thermal annealing, by employing a cluster-deposition system and investigate their structural and magnetic properties. The direct ordering is highly desirable to create and assemble R-TM nanoparticle building blocks for future permanent-magnet and other significant applications.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AR0000046
• OSTI ID: 1211195
• Journal Information: Nano Letters, Vol. 11, Issue 4; ISSN 1530-6984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English