Local structure investigation of Co-Fe-Si-B ribbons by extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy

In the present work, extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) investigations of Co69FexSi21-xB10 (x = 3, 5, 7) glassy ribbons were performed at the Co K-edge. The magnitude of the first peak of the Fourier transforms of the EXAFS signals is found to increase monotonically with increasing Si concentrations indicating the formation of the localized ordered structure at the atomic scale. The Co-Si coordination number (CN) increases at the expense of the CN of Co/Fe. Smaller interatomic distances are observed in the glassy phase compared with that in the crystalline phase which promotes the stability of the glassy phase. Calculations of the thermodynamic parameter (P-HSS), cohesive energy (E-C) and the atomic radius difference (delta) parameter show that the alloy composition Co69Fe3Si18B10 has a good glass-forming ability (GFA) with the highest CN of Si compared with other compositions. A linear correlation of CN with that of the GFA parameter (P-HSS) exists and the CN also plays a crucial role in the GFA of the glassy alloys. This parameter should be considered in developing different GFA criteria.

Automated summary

The study found that with increasing silicon concentration, the Co-Si coordination number increases, forming a locally ordered structure at the atomic scale and promoting the stability of the glassy phase. The alloy composition Co69Fe3Si18B10 has a good glass-forming ability with the highest silicon coordination number. There is a linear correlation between the silicon coordination number and GFA parameter, emphasizing the crucial role coordination number plays in the glass-forming ability of the glassy alloys.