Synthesis of fine α″-Fe16N2 powders by low-temperature nitridation of α-Fe from magnetite nanoparticles

α ″ - Fe 16 N 2 nanoparticles were produced from starting Fe 3 O 4 powders via hydrogen reduction and low temperature nitridation. Influences of both reduction and nitridation conditions on the synthesis of α ″ - Fe 16 N 2 were investigated in detail. The magnetic properties of the nitrided products were also studied. The results show that the combination of 4-h reduction at 400 °C and 16-h nitridation at 170 °C gives the highest yield of α ″ - Fe 16 N 2 up to 59.8 wt. %, which exhibits a saturation magnetization of about 207.3 emu/g.