Synthesis and characterization of a novel Y-Fe phase via kinetic neutron diffraction

Kinetic in situ neutron diffraction has been used to study the crystallization ofamorphous Y67Fe33. The results show that partial crystallization first occursclose to 300 ◦C where the Y phase is formed. The entire sample crystallizesat 390 ◦C and new Bragg peaks appear, signifying the formation of a novelY–Fe phase. This new phase coexists with Y to 450 ◦C when the Bragg peaksassociated with this phase rapidly decrease in intensity and YFe2 also coexistingwith Y, emerges as the final crystallization product. Rietveld refinementshows that the new phase crystallizes into a hexagonal structure, space groupP63/mmc, with a = 12.8893(7) Å, c = 11.7006(9) Å and γ = 120◦