Synthesis of spherical FePd and CoPt nanoparticles

Co48Pt52 nanoparticles were prepared by the simultaneous chemical reduction of platinum acetylacetonate and the thermal decomposition of cobalt tricarbonyl nitrosyl. Similarly, Fe50Pd50 nanoparticles were prepared by the simultaneous reduction of palladium acetylacetonate and the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl. The average diameter for the Co48Pt52 particles was 7 nm, while the average diameter for the Fe50Pd50 particles was 11 nm. Films of the particles were cast onto silicon wafers from hydrocarbon solution. Only after annealing at 700 degreesC for three hours did the Co48Pt52 films transform to the L1(0) phase. However there was no evidence for the tetragonal phase for the films containing Fe50Pd50 particles after annealing at 700 degreesC for three hours. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.