Chemical synthesis and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline FeMoN 2

We have synthesized a new ternary nitride, FeMoN ₂, phase crystallizing in hexagonal WC structure with lattice parameters, a=0.2843 nm and c=0.2735 nm. Ultrafine FeMoN ₂ nitride is Pauli-paramagnetic in the temperature range 77-300 K having a magnetic susceptibility value of 230×10 ^-6 emu/g at room temperature. FeMoN ₂ exhibits metallic behavior. The reduction of intrinsic magnetic moments of Fe occurs because of the spin-pairing effect and d-orbital coupling of Fe and Mo. Mossbauer study of ultrafine FeMoN ₂ particles appropriately corroborates the observed magnetic properties.