Magnetic properties of Fe1−xMnx/Fe nanocomposites

Abstract

We have prepared nanocomposites of mixtures of ferromagnetic α-Fe and antiferromagnetic γ-Fe50Mn50 nanoparticles, and studied their magnetic and structural properties by magnetization measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. A sample consisting of a 1:1 mixture of the two materials showed enhanced coercivity, but almost negligible exchange bias at room temperature after field cooling from 520 K. However, samples with higher content of γ-Fe50Mn50 showed significant exchange bias. The mechanisms for exchange bias and enhanced coercivity in the system are discussed.