Magnetic properties of Fe₁₆N₂ prepared by low temperature nitridation

Abstract

High purity Fe₁₆N₂ powder was prepared by nitridation of α-Fe fine powder in ammonia at 120°C for various duration time. Crystallite size of Fe₁₆N₂ became smaller with a progress of nitridation. Saturation magnetization decreased with a reduction of the crystallite size and the value at 2K was 154emu/g, which was larger by 7.0% than that at room temperature. Coercivity showed a maximum of 2kOe at crystallite size of 22nm. Rf-suputter deposited α-Fe thin film was annealed in ammonia without any exposing to ambient air. Nitride formation temperature was reduced with the deposition time of α-Fe thin film.