Large scale synthesis and formation mechanism of highly magnetic and stable iron nitride (epsilon-Fe3N) nanoparticles

epsilon-Fe3N magnetic nanoparticles with an average size of 45 nm were synthesized by nitriding the zero valent iron nanoparticle precursors using ammonia gas as a reactive ambience. The technique reported in this study is found to be promising in producing highly stable epsilon-Fe3N magnetic nanoparticles and can be extended to other forms of Fenitrides.