Preparation of AlFe nanoparticles by mechanical alloyed technique

Small metallic particles (1-3 nm) have been obtained using mechanical alloying techniques. Analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy have been used for the morphological and chemical characterization of the AlFe alloyed powders. B, Ni and Ti have been explored as reinforced elements to the initial AlFe mixture. X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques have been employed for the structural characterization of the small metallic particles. Theoretical simulations based on molecular dynamics have been used to interpret some of the experimental structural results. Furthermore, theoretical simulations of HREM images based on the dynamical theory of electron diffraction have also been obtained and comparisons with the experimental results have been carried out. The complementary analyses determined that the produced clusters are basically AlFe alloyed nanoparticles immersed in a matrix and with multiple defected structures.