Synthesis of Sm–Co nanoparticles by sol–gel method

Sm–Co nanoparticles have promising applications in both scientific and industrial fields. In this paper, Sm–Co single-crystal nanoparticles were prepared using respective metal salts and complexing agents, such as citric acid by Pechini-type sol–gel method. The mixture solution was heated to form a highly viscous gel, and then heated at different temperatures to achieve SmCo-oxide. And then Sm–Co particles were yielded by reductive annealing of the precursors. Phase analysis, microstructural investigation and magnetic properties were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and VSM. TGA trace analysis of the gel determined the heat treatment temperature. XRD results showed that SmCoO3 and Co3O4 were obtained at 800∘C, FT-IR spectrometry analysis also verified the results. In the calcium-thermal reduction process, Sm2O3 and Co were obtained after reductive annealing at 800∘C, meanwhile Sm–Co nanoparticles were formed at 85...