Evolution of microstructure and formation mechanism of Nd-Fe-B nanoparticles prepared by low energy consumption chemical method

Nd2Fe14B nanoparticles were successfully prepared by using a low-energy chemical method. The microscopic characteristics and formation mechanisms of the phases were investigated at each stage during the preparation of Nd-Fe-B nanoparticles. The Nd-Fe-B intermediates, Nd-Fe-B oxides and reduced Nd-Fe-B nanoparticles were detected and analyzed by using TEM, STEM, XRD, SEM, VSM and Rietveld calculations. The results showed that the intermediate of Nd-Fe-B consisted of Fe3O4 and Nd and Fe elements surrounded by nitrile organic compounds. The Nd-Fe-B oxide was composed of NdFeO3 (48.619wt%), NdBO3 (31.480 wt%) and -Fe (19.901 wt%), which was formed by the reaction among Nd, Fe3O4 and B2O3. NdFeO3 and NdBO3 exhibited a perovskite-like lamellar structure, and the grain size was smaller than that of -Fe. Nd-Fe-B particles were mainly composed of Nd2Fe14B and -Fe phases. The small particles of NdFeO3 and NdBO3 and the interstitial position between oxide particles and -Fe were more favorable for the formation of Nd2Fe14B particles. At the same time, the surface of -Fe particles can also diffuse to form Nd2Fe14B nanoparticles. The coercivity of Nd-Fe-B particles was 5.79 kOe and the saturation magnetization was 63.135 emu g(-1).