SONOCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF IRON NITRIDE NANOPARTICLES

A method for the preparation of nanoparticles of iron nitride powders is reported. Iron nitride particles have been synthesised by two metho ds. In the first, Fe(CO)(5) was sonicated in a decane solution under a gaseous mixture of NH3 and H-2 (3.5: 1 molar ratio) at ca. 0 degrees C. The second method was based on nitriding the sonochemically prepare d amorphous iron at ca. 400 degrees C for 4 h under a mixed stream of NH3-H-2 (3.5:1 molar ratio). Different products were obtained in the t wo cases. The product of the sonication df Fe(CO)(5) was amorphous Fe2 -3N and a small quantity of iron oxide. The X-ray diffraction patterns in the second case showed Fe,N as a main product. The magnetic proper ties of both products were measured. The coercive force H-c of the Fe4 N is 190 Oe, and the saturation magnetization sigma(s), is 170 emu g(- 1).