Enhanced magnetic properties of yttrium-iron nanoparticles

A systematic study of the size effect on the magnetic and structural properties of Y2Fe17 nanoparticles has been performed. We present new data to explain the enhanced magnetic properties of nanostructured yttrium-iron alloy synthesized through alkalide reduction chemical synthesis. The properties of the particles were characterized by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and magnetometer techniques. As the size of the nanoparticles is reduced, there is an increase in magnetization per unit of applied magnetic field, a decrease in the coercivity and a substantial reduction in hysteresis.