Microstructural and Magnetic Characterization of Fe Nanosized Powder Synthesized by Pulsed Wire Evaporation

We studied the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe nanosized powder synthesized by the pulsed wire evaporation method. The x-ray diffraction spectrum confirmed that this powder had a pure ${\alpha}$-Fe phase. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope measurements indicated that the prepared powder had uniform spherical shape with core-shell structure. The mean powder size was about 35 nm and the thickness of the surface passivation layer was about 5 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurement indicated that the surface passivation layer was iron oxide. Magnetic field dependent magnetization measurement at room temperature showed that the maximum magnetization of the prepared powder was 177.1 emu/g at 1 T.