Enhanced coercivity in α-(Fe,Co)/(Nd,Pr) 2 Fe 14 B nanocomposite magnets via interfacial modification

We have prepared ?-(Fe,Co)/(Nd,Pr)2Fe14B nanocomposite magnets having a high coercivity Hc = 7.5?kOe and a large energy product (BH)max = 22.7?MGOe by interfacial modification using an intergranular amorphous phase, as compared with the corresponding values obtained without the intergranular phase, Hc = 5.5?kOe and (BH)max = 16.1?MGOe. The enhanced coercivity is attributed to the increase in the nucleation field for magnetization reversal due to interfacial modification. This demonstrates a counter-intuitive approach for enhancing the magnetic properties of nanocomposite magnets.