Novel synthesis of superparamagnetic Ni–Co–B nanoparticles and their effect on superconductor properties of MgB2

A new procedure for the preparation of amorphous Ni–Co–B nanoparticles is reported, with a detailed investigation of their morphology by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, as well as their magnetic properties. Many factors, such as chemical composition, anisotropy, size and shape of the particles, were controlled through chemical synthesis, resulting in the control of morphological and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. Controlling pH values with ethylenediamine and using sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant lowered the size of the nanoparticles to below 10 nm. Such a small structure and chemical disorder in nanocrystalline materials lead to magnetic properties that are different from those in their bulk-sized counterparts. The obtained nanoparticles can be used for different purposes, from pharmaceutical applications to implementations in different materials technology. The focus of this research is the synthesis of Ni–Co–B nanoparticles in a new way and studying the reaction of Ni–Co–B nanoparticles with Mg and B precursors and their effect on MgB2 properties. New nanostructures are formed in the reaction of Ni–Co–B nanoparticles with Mg: Mg2Ni, Co2Mg and possibly Mg2Co.