Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Fe{sub (100−x)}Ni{sub (x)} Alloy Powders by Auto-combustion and Hydrogen Reduction
Nanocrystalline Fe{sub 90}Ni{sub 10,} Fe{sub 70}Ni{sub 30} andFe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} alloy powders were successfully synthesized using a simple auto-combustion route followed by hydrogen reduction. The experimental work consisted of two steps, where the first step was auto-combustion and, the second step was reduction of the combusted powders. Citric acid was used as fuel during combustion, and citrate to nitrate ratio (C/N) was maintained at 0.3. NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase formation occurred in obtained powders. Obtained powders were reduced in a hydrogen atmosphere at 700 °C/1 h for alloy formation. X-ray diffraction results revealed the presence of BCC α-(Fe,Ni) and FCC γ-(Fe,Ni) phases in reduced powders. Rietveld refinement technique was used to confirm α-(Fe,Ni) and γ-(Fe,Ni) phases with Im-3 m and Fm-3 m space groups, respectively. The Fe{sub 50}Ni{sub 50} powder has been found to have a single γ-(Fe,Ni) phase. Crystallite size of synthesized powders was calculated using the Scherrer equation and transmission electron microscopic analysis, which has been found < 50 nm. The nanocrystalline powders of all three compositions have shown soft magnetic nature with high saturation magnetization (Ms) and low coercivity (Hc). Effect of composition on the phase formation, microstructure and magnetic behavior was investigated. This rapid and simple process for attaining nanoparticles of Fe-Ni alloys with high Ms is expected to be useful in potent applications such as sensors, biomedical applications and electromagnetic wave absorbers.