Anisotropic nanocrystalline MnBi with high coercivity at high temperature

Abstract

Magnetic hard nanocrystalline MnBi has been prepared by melt spinning and subsequent low temperature annealing. A coercivity of 2.5 T can be achieved at 540 K for MnBi with an average grain size of about 20-30 nm. The coercivity iHc, mainly controlled by the coherent magnetization rotation, shows a strong dependence on the time of grinding and exhibits a positive temperature coefficient from 100 up to 540 K. The unique temperature dependent behavior of the coercivity (magnetocrystalline anisotropy) has a relationship with the variations in the crystal lattice ratio of c/a with temperatures. In addition, discontinuity can not be found in the lattice parameters of a, c, and c/a ratio at the magnetostructural transition temperature. The nanocrystalline MnBi powder fixed in an epoxy resin and under an applied magnetic field of 24 kOe shows a maximum energy product of 7.1 MGOe at room temperature and shows anisotropic characteristics with high Mr/Ms ratio up to 560 K.