Synthesis Susan E. Latturner, Florida State University, DMR 1106150 New magnetic intermetallics are synthesized from reactions in metal flux melts. Mixtures of an early rare earth element (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and a late first row transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni) form low melting eutectics. These eutectic mixtures are excellent solvents for iron and other metals and metalloids, leading to formation of compounds containing the rare earth element, iron, and other elements. Reactions of Fe, B, C, and Al in Ce/Co flux have produced two structurally related phases; see figure. Both are cubic arrays of iron nanoclusters capped by borocarbide chains. The magnetic properties of these iron clusters depend on whether aluminum is incorporated; dilution of Fe-Fe bonding by Al destroys the magnetic moment of the clusters. Studies of magnetic properties of the many R/Fe/M/M’ phases synthesized in this project may shed light on how to Ce 33 Fe 13.1 Al 1.1 B 24.8 C 34 Ce 33 Fe 13 B 18 C 34 Contains non- magnetic Fe 14- x Al x+y B 1-y clusters Contains Fe 13 clusters; ferromagnetic at 180 K
Transcript
Mixed Molten Metals as Solvents for Materials Synthesis
Susan E. Latturner, Florida State University, DMR 1106150
New magnetic intermetallics are synthesized from reactions in metal flux melts. Mixtures of an early rare earth element (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and a late first row transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni) form low melting eutectics. These eutectic mixtures are excellent solvents for iron and other metals and metalloids, leading to formation of compounds containing the rare earth element, iron, and other elements.
Reactions of Fe, B, C, and Al in Ce/Co flux have produced two structurally related phases; see figure. Both are cubic arrays of iron nanoclusters capped by borocarbide chains. The magnetic properties of these iron clusters depend on whether aluminum is incorporated; dilution of Fe-Fe bonding by Al destroys the magnetic moment of the clusters.
Studies of magnetic properties of the many R/Fe/M/M’ phases synthesized in this project may shed light on how to control magnetic moments on iron in intermetallic phases.
Ce33Fe13.1Al1.1B24.8C34
Ce33Fe13B18C34
Contains non-magnetic Fe14-xAlx+yB1-y clusters
Contains Fe13 clusters; ferromagnetic at 180 K
Undergraduate students contribute to this research project in several ways; Jason Nyffeler worked on Ce/Co flux reactions and is co-author on our recent JACS paper.
The Latturner lab took part in the Summer 2012 “Undergraduate School on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials”, contributing lectures on intermetallic magnets and lab sessions on solid state synthesis for 14 visiting undergraduate students.
PI was the chair of the Solid State Chemistry subdivision of the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry for 2012; organized the ExxonMobil solid state faculty fellowship and award symposium at ACS Fall 2012 national meeting
Also co-organized (with Jennifer Aitken and Julia Chan) symposium on “Progress and Challenges in crystal growth, design, and characterization of materials” at ACS Fall 2012 national meeting.
Mixed Molten Metals as Solvents for Materials Synthesis
Susan E. Latturner, Florida State University, DMR 1106150
Some of the topics covered in the Summer 2012 Undergraduate School on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials; participants got hands-on experience in synthesizing magnetic phases such as Gd2Co12Ga5 and GdMn6Sn6.
