On the synthesis of intermetallic compounds containing a volatile component: Ln2Fe17-xSbx (Ln=Nd, Sm)

Sb-substituted Nd2Fe17-xSbx and Sm2Fe17-xSbx materials were synthesized using a modified reduction-diffusion process with superfine Fe metal powder as starting material. Sb is a volatile element at high temperature and Sb-substituted intermetallic materials cannot be prepared using a conventional metallurgical method. The substitution of Sb in Nd2Fe17 and Sm2Fe17 enhances significantly the magnetic interaction between Fe atoms and improves their chemical stability, particularly for Sm2Fe17related materials.