Magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Fe2P nanocrystallites via a solvothermal route

Hexagonal nanocrystalline Fe2P has been synthesized via a solvothermal route at a relatively low temperature of 180 °C. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the phase, composition, and morphology of the final crystallized product. The particles with a uniform hexagonal structure are stable in air and their size is in the range of 100–120 nm. A magnetoresistance effect is observed at comparatively low temperatures, which originates from the spin polarized tunneling effect. The super-paramagnetic state transformation can be found at the blocking temperature in Fe2P nanoparticles, further confirmed by electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments. Metamagnetic behavior is also observed in nanocrystalline Fe2P with variation of field because of the coexistence of ferromagnetic and super-paramagnetic states.