Preparation and magnetic properties of anisotropic (Sm,Pr)Co5/Co composite particles

Anisotropic (Sm,Pr)Co5/Co nanocomposite particles have been fabricated by chemical coating the 2 h ball milled (Sm,Pr)Co5 flakes with Co nanoparticles. The Co nanoparticles were synthesized with mean particle sizes in the range of 20–50 nm. The nanocomposite particles present [0 0 1] out-of-plane texture and improved magnetic properties, e.g., an enhanced remanent magnetization of 72 emu/g for (Sm,Pr)Co5/Co and 66 emu/g for (Sm,Pr)Co5. In addition, by using the 8 h ball milled powders (much smaller than the 2 h ball milled powders) as the starting materials, Co nanoparticles can also be successfully coated on the surface of the flakes. A plausible mechanism for the formation of Co nanoparticles on the surface of (Sm,Pr)Co5 flakes is discussed.

▸ Nanocomposite (Sm,Pr)Co5/Co flakes have been prepared through the liquid-phase method. ▸ Anisotropic nanocomposite particles are showing improved magnetic properties. ▸ Plausible mechanism for the formation of Co nanoparticles is discussed.