X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer Studies of gamma '-(Fe1-xSnx)(4)N compounds (0.0 <= x <= 0.3)

The structure and magnetic properties of gamma'-(Fe1-xSnx)(4)N samples have been studied using X-ray diffraction and Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. It has been shown that the single-phase (Fe1-xSnx)(4)N compounds can be prepar ed in the composition range of 0.0 less than or equal to x less than or equ al to 0.3, which have the similar structure as gamma'-Fe4N The lattice para meter with the increase of Sn concentration can be well fitted with two lin ear relationships a(0)(x)= 3.795 + 0.019x (with x less than or equal to 0.1 0) and a(0)(x) = 3.797 + 0.228(x - 0.10) (with 0.1 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.3). The fitting results of Mossbauer spectra indica te that the hyperfine parameters have the same changing tendency with latti ce parameter, and the Sn atoms have a preference to be located at the corne r site. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.