Iraqi Journal of Physics, 2019 Vol.17, No.41, PP. 67-74

DOI: 10.20723/ijp.17.41.67-74

A Spectroscopic and structural study of FeCoSb alloy Saba J. Kadhem Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Iraq E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Key words Fe, Co and Sb nanopowders were fruitfully prepared by Fe alloy , FeCoSb electrical wire method in Double distilled and de-ionized alloy, exploding wire, water (DDDW) media. The formation of iron, cobalt and antimony , optical (FeCoSb) alloy nanopowder was monitored by X-ray diffraction. properties The x-ray diffraction pattern indicates that there are iron, cobalt and antimony peaks. Optical properties of this alloy nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible absorption spectra. The absorption peak position is shifted to the lower wavelengths when the current increases. That means the mean size of the nanoparticles controlled Article info. by changing the magnitude of the current. The surface morphological Received: Nov. 2018 analysis is carried out by employing Scanning Electron Microscope Accepted: Mar. 2019 (SEM). Particles with varies size were observed also from the images Published: Jun. 2019 the some particles have uneven shapes with agglomerate and the other have spherical shape. The exploding FeCoSb alloy wire parameters is study by optical emission . The emission spectra of the plasma have been recorded and analyzed. The plasma electron temperature (Te), was determined by Boltzmann plot, and the electron density (ne), by Stark broadening for wire with diameter 0.3 mm and current of 75A in distilled water.

دراسة طيفية وتركيبية لسبيكة FeCoSb صبا جواد كاظم لسى انفيسياء, كهيت انؼهىو , جايؼت بغذاد, انؼراق الخالصة حى حذضير جسيًاث ال Fe و Co و Sb انُاَىيت بُجاح بطريمت األسالن انًخفجر كهربائيا داخم انًاء يمطر يرحيٍ ويُسوع االيىَاث )DDDW(. حٌ إجزاء اىذراست اىخزمٍبٍت ىجسٍَاث اىحذٌذ واىنىباىج واالّخٍَىُ )FeCoSb( اىْاّىٌت بىاسطت حٍىد األشعت اىسٍْت. واظهز َّط حٍىد األشؼت انسيُيت وجىد لًى انخاصت بانذذيذ وانكىبانج واألَخيًىٌ. أٍا اىخصائص اىبصزٌت ىهذٓ اىجسٍَاث اىْاّىٌت حٌ حىصٍفها بىاسطت UV-Visible absorption spectra. ٌالحع إُ قَت االٍخصاص حشاح إىى أطىاه ٍىجٍت أقو عْذ سٌادة اىخٍار. وهذا ٌعًْ إُ ٍخىسط حجٌ اىجسٍَاث اىْاّىية انًذضرة يخى انخذكى فيها ػٍ طريك حغيير ليًت انخيار. باسخخذاً حقٍْت انًجهر االنكخروَي انًاسخ SEM حى حذهيم انًىرفىنىجي انسطخ. ٌالحع ٍِ خاله صىرة انًجهر االنكخروَي انًاسخ SEM إٌ انجسيًاث انًخكىَت راث أدجاو يخخهفت ولسى راث أشكال غير يُخظًت يخجؼًت يغ بؼضها وانمسى األخر راث شكم كروي. حٌ دراست ٍعيَاث انبالزيا انًخىنذة يٍ حفجير أسالن سبيكت يٍ FeCoSb. طيف االَبؼاد نهبالزيا حى حسجيهه وحذهيهه. حٌ اىبالسٍا، باسخخذاً ٍخطط بىىخشٍاُ حٌ ححذٌذ درجت حزارة إىنخزوُ )Te(، واحساع سخارك Stark broadening نذساب كثافت اإلنكخروٌ )ne( ىيبالسٍا اىَخىىذة ٍِ حفجٍز سيل قطزٓ 0.3 يهيًخر وبًمذار حيار 57 أٍبٍز داخو اىَاء اىَقطز انؼًانج ايىَيا .

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Introduction nanoparticles prepared from the Nanoparticles have been a source of FeCoSb alloy using the exploding enormous attention because of their wire technique. Physical-chemical novel electrical, optical, physical, description has considered X-ray chemical and magnetic properties. diffraction (XRD), UV- visible and There are a many of reports of physical scanning electron microscopy (SEM). and chemical processes for fabrication Also The plasma which produced by of nanoparticles one of them is by exploding wire method characteristics using plasma (exploding wire method) were investigated based on optical [1]. The nanoparticles have emission spectroscopy (OES). momentous possible for a wide range of applications like composite Experimental setup materials, catalysis, magnetic In this work, FeCoSb alloy wire recording media, magnetic fluids, with diameter of 0.3 mm was exploded optoelectronic materials, fuel cells and in Double distilled and de-ionized sensors [2, 3]. FeCoSb alloys are water (DDDW). The explosion was attracting greatly attention because carried out with three values of current their extraordinary physical, chemical, 50, 75 and 150 mA. The source voltage and magnetic properties. Recently, available was 35 volts. Referring FeCoSb alloy nanoparticles have to Fig.1, a reaction beaker with volume unique properties that be different from 500 mL was used as the explosion those of the bulk materials [4, 5]. chamber as shown in Fig.1. When the These novel properties are because first electrode (wire) touched the high surface to volume ratio, second electrode (plate) the wire morphology, small particle size and vaporized, and convert into plasma. surface coating of nanoparticles. The material for wire and plate is the FeCoSb alloy nanoparticles have same but with reverse polarity. The interesting application like biomedical exploded wire is related to the perfect and catalytic applications [6]. geometry during the wire guide. The The preparation methods influence plates were set on the base of reaction the properties of nanoscale metal such beaker which filled with 100 ml of as iron particles. There are chemical DDDW. The electrical circuit leftovers and physical methods are used to open until the contact is made by the produce metal and metalloid wire on to the plate mechanically nanoparticles in the form of powders resulting in the wire explosion through and colloids [7, 8]. In the present study a non linear process in very short time. we report the characterization and The nanoparticles disperse in the unusual optical of Fe, Co and Sb DDDW solution.

Fig.1: The system of explosion wire in liquid media.

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The wires have been exploded by only relatively low voltages are bringing the alloy wire into speedy applied, and also results in huge contact with the plate. The wire is quantities of nanoparticles being exposed to several sparks and is being formed from both the consumed replaced after several contacts. The electrodes. The experimental electrical explosion wire (EEW) parameters are summarized in Table 1. process is very energy exhaustive since Table 1: Summary of experimental parameters. Wire Materials FeCoSb alloy Wires diameter 0.3mm Applied current 50-75 and 150 A, DC Wire length 20 cm Metal plate (70 x 40) mm and thickness of (2 mm) Liquid type DDDW (Double distilled and de-ionized water) Liquid volume 100 mL

Fig.2 shows image of FeCoSb alloy the nanoparticles are attracted to the colloid, prepared by electrical magnet. That mean the composit explosion wire technique, in DDDW contains Irion nanoparticles. media. We noted from the figure that

nanofluid Magnet Fe nanoparticles

a b Fig. 2: a) Image of FeCoSb alloy colloid prepared by EEW in DDDW. b) Image of FeCoSb nanoparticles which attracted to the magnet.

UV–Visible absorption spectrum of absorption peak position is shifted to Fe nanofluid the region when the current Fig.3 illustrated the absorbance of increased that means the diameters of nanofluid that prepared from alloy wire the particles decreases with the current at different current. It is clearly from increases. this figure that the optical properties depend on the amount of current. The

69 Iraqi Journal of Physics, 2019 Saba J. Kadhem

2.5 75mA 100 mA 2 160mA

1.5 Abs

1

0.5

0 250 350 450 550 650 750 850 λ(mn) Fig. 3: Absorbance within UV visible for FeCoSb alloy nanofluid from alloy wire with 0.3mm diameter in DDDW at three different values of current.

X- ray diffraction (XRD) at 66.16° and it were shifted to slightly The crystal structure of the FeCoSb higher 2 values. Another signals alloy-nanoparticles dispersed in centered around 61° is detected, DDDW is examined with X-Ray thus including the presence of diffraction. Fig.4 shows the XRD face- centered-cubic (FCC) cobalt pattern of the alloy nanoparticles nanoparticles corresponds to the (200) dispersed in DDDW. The XRD pattern line. There are three peaks at 29.852o, as a 2 plot scanning from 20°–80° 48.892o and 55.871° characteristic of was recorded to determine crystallanity (220), (100) and (101) diffraction plan and structure. The peak obtained of hexagonal centered cobalt. The around 44.5o corresponds to the (110) peaks centered at 21.3o and 35.213o line of Fe (FCC). The peak position of corresponds to the (003) and (014) line the Fe nanoparticles planes (200) was of Sb.

Intensity (c/s)

2θo

Fig. 4: X-ray diffraction pattern for FeCoSb alloy nanoparticles that obtain by exploded wire method with different diameter in DDDW media.

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Scanning Electron Microscopic of the texture of the deposited metal as (SEM) a thin film on substrate. From the Fundamental study of samples images there are varies size are morphology was obtained using observed also from the images the particular electron microscopy. It is some particles have irregular shapes possible to observe the external with agglomerate and the other have structures of nanoparticles using SEM, spherical shape as shown in Fig.5. and it is performed to the characterize

a b

Fig. 5: SEM images for synthesized alloy NPS in water, obtained from 0.3 mm exploded FeCoSb wire at; a) high magnification, b) low magnification.

Energy dispersive X-ray analysis the film. From Fig. 6, there are many The elemental analysis of the alloy strong peaks for iron, cobalt and is investigation by Energy Dispersive antimony but the strongest peak is to X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis as iron. The weak peak of Si and Ca shown in Fig. 6. EDX measurement shown in the EDX spectra correspond confirms the existence of the alloy in to the glass substrate material.

Fig. 6: The EDX energy of the alloy nanoparticles.

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The spectroscopic analysis line for the relation between ( ) Fig.7 shows the optical emission spectrum emitted from the Plasma versus upper energy level ( . From produced by exploding FeCoSb alloy Fig.8, it can be noticed that the peak wire with diameter of 0.3mm and located at 540.3 nm corresponding to current 75A. The emission spectra of Fe line for iron atoms produced from this alloy plasma have been recorded the alloy molecular dissociate. and analyzed. The plasma electron The Fe I line was used to calculate temperature (Te), was calculated by the electron temperature. The Te value using Boltzman plot method, and the can be calculated using Fig.9 from electron density (ne) was determine by reveres of best fitting line. The Stark broadening using seven Fe I line constants Values for the iron emission at 516.74, 517.15, 522.71, 532.85, lines taken from reference [9]. The 537.1, 537.14 and 540.4 nm for the equations of fitting lines and the R2 alloy wire. Also peaks at 217.581 and were shown in the figure. R2 is the 556.812nm correspond to antimony statistical coefficient indicating the (Sb I) and (Sb II) respectively. Small quality of the linear fit. peaks at 258.326 and 345.351nm Table 2 shows the diameter of wire, correspond to Co I and Co II the calculated electron temperature Te, respectively. These elements come electron density (ne), plasma frequency from the FeCoSb alloy. Also some of (fp) and Debye length (λD) for FeCoSb ionic oxygen lines are founded in the alloy plasma produced by exploding inset figure. The Te values were wire for 0.3 mm wire diameters and deduced from reveres of best fitting 75A current.

Fig. 7: Emission spectra for FeCoSb alloy exploding wire.

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Fig. 8: Fe I peaks at 540.4 nm broadening and there Gaussian fitting.

Fig. 9: Boltzmann plot from the Fe I lines produced by exploding wire.

Table 2: Plasma parameters calculated from emission spectrum lines emitted from FeCoSb alloy plasma produced by exploding wire. Wire diameter 0.3 mm

electron temperature Te 0.300 eV FWHM 2.60 nm 18 -3 electron density (ne) 1.44*10 cm 13 plasma frequency (fp) 1.1*10 Hz -6 Debye length (λD) 3.4*10 cm 3 The number of particles in a Debye sphere Nd 0.235*10 Plasma ideality 0.874

The 540.4 nm iron line peak shows the standard line width for this line. in Fig. 8. The full width at half The electrons density were calculated maximum was found by Gaussian by the equation [8, 9]: fitting. From the measured width which depending on Stark effect and

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⁄ References [1] A. Alqudami and S. Annapoorni, ( ) Plasmonics, 2 (2007) 5-13. Plasma frequency which given by [10]: [2] P. Sen, J. Ghosh, A. Abdullah, P. Kumar, Vandana, Proc. Indian Acad.

√ Sci. (Chem. Sci.), 115, 5 & 6 (2003)

499-508. [3] J.Y. Yun, H. M. Lee, S.Y. Choi, S. Also the number of particles (ND) in a S. Yang, D. W. Lee1, Y. J. Kim, B. Debye sphere [10]: K.Kim Materials Transactions, 52, 2

⁄ (2011) 250-253. [ ] ⁄ [4] L. H. Bac, B. K. Kim, J. S. Kim, J. C. Kim, Journal of Magnetics, 16, 4 where: Te in K. (2011) 435-439. Conclusions [5] D. Carta, G. Mountjoy, M. Gass, G. Metal and metalloid nanoparticles Navarra, M. F. Casula, A. Corrias, can be produced by one step simple, The Journal of Chemical Physics, 127 effective and low cost technique that is (2007) 204705-1_204705-9. the Electrical Explosion Wire (EEW) [6] S. Dadashi, R. Poursalehi H. technique and it may be applied in air Delavari, Procedia Materials Science, and liquid. Mean particle size could be 11 (2015) 722-726. controlled by proper selection of the [7] T. Kulik, A. Wlazlowska, J. current, and breakdown strength of the Ferenc, J. Latuch, IEEE Transactions medium. The peaks properties as peak on Magnetics, 38, 5, (2002) 3075- position and peak intensity are reliable 3077. indicators for identifying the size and [8] M. Y. Tafti, M. Saleemi, M. S. concentration. SEM image gives good Toprak, M. Johnsson, A. Jacquot, M. information about the shape, size and Jägle, M. Muhammed, Open Chem., the size distribution for the 13 (2015) 629-635. nanoparticles. [9] R. Voda, A. Negrea, L. Lupa, M. The nanoparticles formed from the Ciopec, P. Negrea, C. M. Davidescu, wire have spherical shapes with M. Butnariu, Open Chem., 13 (2015) agglomerate. Fe, Co, and Sb 743-747. components in the alloy nanopowders [10] A. A-K. Hussain, A. Abd Al- are uniformly dispersed. X-ray Razzaq, Iraqi Journal of Physics, 14, examination included the peaks of the 31 (2016) 205-214. three elements in the alloy.

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