Characterization of Fe/N nanoparticles synthesized by the chemical vapor condensation process

Nanosized epsilon-Fe3N and iron-nitrides/alpha-Fe particles with a core-shell structure were prepared by the chemical vapor condensation. Structure and magnetic properties were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The core consists of iron-nitrides/alpha-Fe or single epsilon-Fe3N nanoparticles, while the shell consists of iron oxides. Magnetic properties of epsilon-Fe3N nanoparticles can be improved by varying the experimental conditions. The maximum value of the saturation magnetization reaches 126.1 emu/g for the epsilon-Fe3N nanoparticles prepared at 1000 degreesC by a pure 60 sccm NH3 carrier gas. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.