A New Class of Cluster–Matrix Nanocomposite Made of Fully Miscible Components. Issue 9 (5th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iankevich, Gleb; Sarkar, Abhishek; Katnagallu, Shyam; Chellali, Mohammed Reda; Wang, Di; Velasco, Leonardo; Singh, Ruby; Reisinger, Thomas; Kruk, Robert; Hahn, Horst
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 35:Issue 9(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-01-05
• Subjects: bimetallic systems -- cluster science -- nanocomposites -- nickel–copper systems -- superparamagnetism; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Nanocomposite materials, consisting of two or more phases, at least one of which has a nanoscale dimension, play a distinctive role in materials science because of the multiple possibilities for tailoring their structural properties and, consequently, their functionalities. In addition to the challenges of controlling the size, size distribution, and volume fraction of nanometer phases, thermodynamic stability conditions limit the choice of constituent materials. This study goes beyond this limitation by showing the possibility of achieving nanocomposites from a bimetallic system, which exhibits complete miscibility under equilibrium conditions. A series of nanocomposite samples with different compositions are synthesized by the co‐deposition of 2000‐atom Ni‐clusters and a flux of Cu‐atoms using a novel cluster ion beam deposition system. The retention of the metastable nanostructure is ascertained from atom probe tomography (APT), magnetometry, and magnetotransport studies. APT confirms the presence of nanoscale regions with ≈100 at% Ni. Magnetometry and magnetotransport studies reveal superparamagnetic behavior and magnetoresistance stemming from the single‐domain ferromagnetic Ni‐clusters embedded in the Cu‐matrix. Essentially, the magnetic properties of the nanocomposites can be tailored by the precise control of the Ni concentration. The initial results offer a promising direction for future research on nanocomposites consisting of fully miscible elements. Abstract : The prospect for creating highly metastable nanocomposite materials made from fully miscible alloy systems, like Ni–Cu, is opened. The cluster ion beam deposition technique allows stabilization of 2000‐atom Ni‐clusters in a Cu‐matrix with varying macroscopic concentration. Consequently, unique magnetic and magnetotransport properties are evident as a function of cluster concentration and enthalpy‐driven cluster dissolution.