Nanocrystalline alloys: synthesis and characterization of non-stoichiometric Co2FeAl nanocrystals

Abstract

Non-stoichiometric Co2FeAl nanoparticles are formed by the in-solution thermal decomposition of the corresponding metal acetylacetonate complexes in the presence of capping ligands followed by reduction of the obtained material under an H2-containing atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy indicates that sub-100 nm nanoparticles are obtained, with reasonable size control. Magnetic measurements indicate that the saturation magnetization, Bloch behavior, magnetization reversal, spin-wave stiffness, and exchange stiffness are all comparable to those observed for bulk and thin-film Co2FeAl, indicating that these nanomaterials are promising for use in nanoparticle-based spintronic devices.