The partitioning of Dy and Tb in NdFeB magnets: A first-principles study

Abstract

Doping with Dy/Tb is a current solution to improve the coercivity and the operating temperature of NdFeB magnets, by increasing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the (Nd, Dy/Tb)2Fe14B (2:14:1) phase. The efficiency of Dy/Tb doping depends on the distribution of Dy/Tb in the multi-phase microstructure of the NdFeB magnet. To understand and control the Dy/Tb redistribution, the partitioning of Dy/Tb between 2:14:1 and Nd-rich phases has been studied by a first-principles density functional calculation. The total energy calculations indicate that Dy and Tb prefer to enter the 4f sites in the 2:14:1 phase. The substitution energies of Dy and Tb in 2:14:1 are negative and are −0.35 eV/atom and −0.33 eV/atom, respectively, as Nd is replaced with 25% of Dy/Tb, i.e., stabilizing the 2:14:1 structure. However, the substitution energies of Dy and Tb in NdO have large positive values. They are 0.83 eV/atom and 0.73 eV/atom for Dy and Tb, respectively, when 25% of Nd is replaced by Dy/Tb. The results indicate that Dy/Tb prefer to enter the 2:14:1 phase rather than the Nd-rich phase (NdO). This is the thermodynamic origin for the selective occupation of Dy and Tb in the 2:14:1 structure which enhances the magnetic anisotropy field.