Ferromagnetism and Microwave Electromagnetism of Iron-Doped Titanium Nitride Nanocrystals

Titanium nitride (TiN) nanocrystals doped with different dosages of iron were prepared by calcinating nanotubular titanic acid precursor in flowing ammonia. The structure of as-prepared Fe-doped TiN nanocrystals was characterized, and their ferromagnetism and microwave electromagnetism were investigated. It has been found that as-prepared Fe-doped TiN nanocrystals exhibit distinct room temperature ferromagnetic properties and improved microwave electromagnetic loss behavior when compared with the undoped counterpart. Considering the crystal structure and chemical feature of as-synthesized products, we suppose that structural defects are responsible for the observed ferromagnetism and microwave electromagnetism of as-synthesized Fe-doped TiN, and it may be feasible to tune the magnetic and electromagnetic properties by manipulating the generation of the structural defects. Hopefully, the present research is to shed light on Fe-doped TiN nanocrystal as a promising microwave absorption material and to help acquiring insights into the origin of ferromagnetism and microwave electromagnetism in a broad range of nanostructures, thereby broadening the scope of dilute magnetic and electromagnetic wave absorbing materials.