Control of Phase in Phosphide Nanoparticles Produced by Metal Nanoparticle Transformation: Fe₂P and FeP

Abstract

The transformation of Fe nanoparticles by trioctylphosphine (TOP) to phase-pure samples of either Fe(2)P or FeP is reported. Fe nanoparticles were synthesized by the decomposition of Fe(CO)(5) in a mixture of octadecene and oleylamine at 200 degrees C and were subsequently reacted with TOP at temperatures in the region of 350-385 degrees C to yield iron phosphide nanoparticles. Shorter reaction times favored an iron-rich product (Fe(2)P), and longer reaction times favored a phosphorus-rich product (FeP). The reaction temperature was also a crucial factor in determining the phase of the final product, with higher temperatures favoring FeP and lower temperatures Fe(2)P. We also observe the formation of hollow structures in both FeP spherical nanoparticles and Fe(2)P nanorods, which can be attributed to the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. Magnetic measurements conducted on phase-pure samples suggest that approximately 8 x 70 nm Fe(2)P rods are ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature between 215 and 220 K and exhibit a blocking temperature of 179 K, whereas FeP is metamagnetic with a Neel temperature of approximately 120 K. These data agree with the inherent properties of bulk-phase samples and attest to the phase purity that can be achieved by this method.