Distribution of Co-57 atoms in a nanocrystalline Co79Nb14B7 alloy afte
r annealing at different temperatures was studied by means of Co-57 em
ission Mossbauer spectroscopy. After annealing below the recrystalliza
tion temperature, the diffusing Co-57 atoms were found in all phases e
xpected to be present in the nanocrystalline alloy. They do not prefer
the intergranular phase. Paths of diffusing atoms are probably close
to interfaces between crystallites (grain boundaries) and/or intergran
ular phase. With increasing annealing temperature, when the nanocrysta
lline state transforms into a coarse polycrystal, the Co-57 atoms occu
py regular sites in the bulk Co and Co3B phases.