Formation of FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticles by plasma-induced cathodic discharge electrolysis

Magnetic nanoparticles of FePt intermetallic compound were formed in molten LiCl–KCl–CsCl electrolyte under 1 atm of Ar atmosphere by plasma-induced cathodic discharge electrolysis. By utilizing the displacement reaction between the Fe(0) and Pt(II), FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticles were obtained from the melt. The displacement reaction produced small primary particles that considerably aggregated to form larger secondary particles. The coercivity of the obtained FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticle increased with a longer residence time in the melt. The coercivity of the FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticle obtained after a residence time of 3 h was measured to be 199 mA m−1. FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticles could also be obtained by the co-depositing Fe and Pt from Fe(II) and Pt(II) in the melt. In this case, the primary particle size distribution became broader, but the aggregation of primary particles was suppressed. The coercivity of the obtained FePt intermetallic compound nanoparticles showed a quite high value of 245 mA m−1 that did not depend on the residence time.