Solid-state synthesis and magnetic properties of rhombohedral phase Mg2SiNi3

Abstract A solid-state route was developed to prepare rhombohedral phase Mg2SiNi3 with the dimensions of about 300 nm by using metallic magnesium, nickel oxide and silicon as starting materials at 700 °C in an autoclave reactor. The obtained product was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic measurement at room temperature indicated that the values of saturation magenetization and coercivity of the obtained Mg2SiNi3 were 0.31 emu g–1 and 65.20 Oe, respectively.