Magnetic characteristics of R2Fe14B systems prepared with high purity rare earths (R=Ce, Pr, Dy, and Er)

Abstract

Commercial rare earth metals contain several atomic % oxygen, and intermetallics synthesized using these ingredients deviate markedly from the intended compositions. In this work, high purity rare earths (<20 ppm oxygen by weight) were used. Results for R2Fe14B systems with R = Y, Nd, Sm, or Gd have been previously reported. The earlier work has now been extended to include systems containing Ce, Pr, Dy and Er. All were ordered magnetically at room temperature, with Curie temperatures ranging from 437 K (Ce) to 592 K (Dy). Results suggest that Ce in this system exists in the quadripositive state. Saturation magnetizations (77 K) are 29.4, 34.8, 12.1, and 14.7 μB/formula unit, respectively, for R = Ce, Pr, Dy, and Er. These may be contrasted with 30.4 μB/f.u. for Y2Fe14B, which is the Fe magnetization alone. These results imply ferromagnetic coupling for Pr2Fe14B and antiferromagnetic coupling for the Dy and Er compounds. Room temperature anisotropy fields ranged from 37 kOe (R = Ce) to 158 kOe (R = Dy). Er2Fe14B exhibits a spin reorientation near room temperature. Pr2Fe14B, unlike Nd2Fe14B, exhibits no spin reorientation.