Synthesis and Structure of Magnetic Core-shell Ni–Ce Nanocomposite Particles

A new type of magnetic core-shell Ni–Ce nanocomposite particles (15–50 nm) is presented. SEM observations suggest the particles are strongly ferromagnetic, interacting with ordered chain-like features. Typical HR-TEM images demonstrate that many planar defects (nanotwins and stacking faults) exist in the surface shell and large Ni core zone (10–40 nm) of the particles; the inner shell layers (4–6 nm) consist of NiCe alloy and the outermost shell is NiO. Nano-diffraction patterns show an indication of well-defined spots characteristic of nanocomposite materials, of which certain crystal facet orientation relationships between orthorhombic [111] of NiCe and cubic [311] of Ni2Ce, face-center crystal [222] of NiO, cubic [111] of nickel have been identified. This confirms the nature of this core-shell nanocomposite particle.