Preparation of Fe–Ni–P–B metallic nano-ribbons

Nano-ribbons of (Fe,Ni)3(P,B) intermetallic compound have been prepared by a so-called selective etching method from the precursor Fe40Ni40P14B6 alloys. These precursors, with a eutectic structure constituting of (Fe,Ni)3(P,B) phase and γ-(Fe,Ni) phase, were prepared in a rod shape by the rapid quenching method. Then, the γ-(Fe,Ni) phase was dissolved off from the eutectic structure through selective etching with aqua regia, resulting in nano-ribbons, with about 10–50 nm thickness, 300–1000 nm width and about 10 μm or more length, having been obtained under the action of etching and polishing effects. Based on the experimental results, the possible evolution process of (Fe,Ni)3(P,B) nano-ribbons from eutectic structures was proposed. The present result shows that the selective etching method is an easy and effective approach for preparing metallic nano-ribbons.

► Fe40Ni40P14B6 nanocrystalline alloy, constituted by eutectic cells with γ-(Fe,Ni) and (Fe,Ni)3(P,B) nanosized eutectic structures, has been prepared by the rapid quenching method.
► Oriented (Fe,Ni)3(P,B) metallic nano-ribbons, with about 10–50 nm thickness, 300–1000 nm width and 10 μm or more length, have been prepared by selective etching of the as-prepared Fe40Ni40P14B6 nanocrystalline sample.
► Present work provides an easy, effective and low cost approach for preparing metallic nano-ribbons.