Synthesis of nanostructured Ho(Ni0.5Fe0.5)3 compound via ball-milling

The morphology and magnetic properties of the crystalline and ball-milled Ho(Ni0.5Fe0.5)3 intermetallic compounds are studied. The presence of PuNi3 type of crystal structure was confirmed in crystalline as well as powdered samples. The emergence of a partly amorphous phase was confirmed at the end of the pulverization process. The use of the ball-milling method for various grinding time is reflected in the fabrication of nanostructured flakes, with a thickness of less than 100 nm. Prolonged milling favors an assemblage of as-prepared nanopowder. The increase of pulverization time leads to the reduction in crystallites sizes confirmed by a variety of complementary measurement methods. Moreover, the increase in comminution duration results in the enhancement of the coercivity (HC), non-linear dependence of remanence (Mr) and emergence of Mr./MS ratio to values higher than 0.5. A quantitative analysis of XPS spectra shows an increase of Fe concentration versus sputtering which is in coincidence with magnetic measurements.