Fabrication of remarkably magnetic-property-enhanced anisotropic Sm2Fe17Nx nanoflakes by surfactant assisted ball milling at low temperature

Anisotropic Sm2Fe17Nx nanoflakes with high performance were successfully prepared via surfactant-assisted ball milling (SABM) at low temperatures. Comparing with the conventional SABM at room temperature, these Sm2Fe17Nx nanoflakes possess more uniform particle sizes, much enhanced coercivity and remanence ratio (Mr/Ms), higher saturation magnetization and excellent magnetic alignment. Based on systematic investigations of phases, N content and magnetic properties as a function of milling time for nanoflakes fabricated at room and low temperatures, the effective inhabitation of the decomposition of Sm2Fe17Nx phase by low-temperature milling has been clearly evidenced. Our study indicates that the low-temperature milling may serve as a promising and new technique for fabricating the high-performance Sm-Fe-N anisotropic powders used in bonded magnets