Preparation and properties of submicron hexagonal Fe<i>x</i>N, 2&amp;lt;x&amp;lt;3

Abstract

Hexagonal ε-FexN phases with 2.02&amp;lt;x&amp;lt;2.85 were prepared from finely divided carbonyl Fe and NH3/H2 mixtures at 350 °C. Both the Curie temperature and magnetic moment decrease with increasing nitrogen content and approach zero at ∼Fe2N, the limiting composition of the hexagonal phase. The coercive force was reasonably high (&amp;gt;200 Oe) for those phases with Tc above room temperature. The variation of the magnetic moment with composition is nonlinear.