SmB6 nanoparticles: Synthesis, valence states, and magnetic properties

• Single-phased nanocrystalline SmB6 are prepared by a solid–state reaction in a continuous evacuating process.
• The reaction temperature has a significant effect on the grain size and morphology.
• The valence state of Sm in nanocrystalline SmB6 is more likely Sm3+.

Nanocrystalline SmB6 particles were synthesized by the solid–state reaction of Sm2O3/SmCl3 with NaBH4 in the temperature range of 1000–1200 °C. The phase composition, grain morphology, microstructure and valence states of SmB6 were investigated by using XRD, FESEM, HRTEM and XANES. It is interestingly found that the SmB6 nanocrystalline particles with size of 50 nm are easily prepared by using SmCl3 as raw material. The FFT patterns of HRTEM images reveal that the SmB6 nanocrystalline particles have a high crystallinity with cubic structure. The XANES results show that the valence state of Sm is more likely Sm3+. The magnetic measurement shows that the SmB6 nanoparticles show paramagnetic behavior, but there is a small anomaly in the paramagnetic state. The present synthesis technique is novel and invaluable for developing highly crystallized SmB6 nanoparticles.

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