Exchange Bias Demonstrated in Bulk Nanocomposites Processed by High Pressure Torsion

Abstract: Ferromagnetic (Fe or Fe20Ni80) and antiferromagnetic (NiO) phases were deformed by high pressure torsion, a severe plastic deformation technique, to manufacture bulk sized nanocomposites and demonstrate an exchange bias, which has been reported predominantly for bilayer thin films. High pressure torsion deformation at elevated temperatures proved to be the key to obtain homogeneous bulk nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction investigations detected nanocrystallinity of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases. Furthermore, an additional phase was identified by X-ray diffraction, which formed during deformation at elevated temperatures through the reduction of NiO by Fe. Depending on the initial powder composition of Fe50NiO50 or Fe10Ni40NiO50 the new phase was magnetite or maghemite, respectively. Magnetometry measurements demonstrated an exchange bias in the high pressure torsion processed bulk nanocomposites. Additionally, a tailoring of magnetic parameters was demonstrated by the application of different strains or post-process annealing. A correlation between the amount of applied strain and exchange bias was found. The increase of exchange bias through applied strain was related to the microstructural refinement of the nanocomposite. The nanocrystalline maghemite was considered to have a crucial impact on the observed changes of exchange bias through applied strain.