Structural and magnetic properties of FeB microfibers

Structural and magnetic properties of FeB microfibers, obtained by electroless deposition on cellulose fibers, were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the presence of an amorphous phase. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) studies confirmed an amorphous-like structure with the nearest coordination numbers around Fe atom to be 8.7 for Fe and 3.5 for B. The magnetic moment of 2.12 Bohr magnetons/Fe atom is consistent with composition obtained from EXAFS measurements.