Organometallic synthesis and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic Sm–Co nanoclusters

We have successfully prepared Sm–Co composite nanoclusters using liquid-phase organometallic synthesis. The chemical composition was determined by quantitative x-ray fluorescence analysis and it is found that the composition of synthesized Sm–Co nanoclusters was Sm poor while the Sm–Co nanoclusters with required composition could be obtained in starting from the excess $Sm(acac)3.$ From the transmission electron microscopy measurements, the Sm–Co nanoclusters have the uniform size with the diameter of 9 nm. The crystalline structure was fcc which is different from that of bulk SmCo alloy with the same Sm and Co content. The magnetic property was observed by superconducting quantum interference magnetometer and shows the ferromagnetic characteristics.