Nanoscale alloys prepared by sodium borohydride reduction of aqueous Fe–Cu and Co–Cu solutions

Simultaneous reduction of aqueous solutions of CuSO4 and MSO4 (M = Fe, Co) by NaBH4 has been carried out. If the pH is uncontrolled, the precipitation of Cu2+ is favoured. At fixed pH congruent to 7, the Cu amount depends on the initial solution. The precipitate is an heterogeneous alloy including a solid solution of FCC Fe-Cu. The effects of magnetic fine particle structure are shown by M(H) and AC susceptibility. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.