Computer Simulation of Effect of Intergrain Exchange Interaction on Magnetic Properties of Nanocompo

Effects of the intergrain exchange interaction on magnetic properties of nanocomposite magnets were investigated by using the computer simulation based on the micromagnetic theory. The simulation was carried out under the assumptions that the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction is weaker than that of the intragrain exchange interaction, that inhomogeneous nanostructures result in the distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction, and that there exists nonmagnetic intergranular phase(NMIP) between grain boundaries. The distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction was simulated by the lognormal distribution with the standard deviation of σ.The calculations for Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets reveal that a suitably weak intergrain exchange interaction and small grain size enable us to improve magnetic properties. It is also found that a Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnet has a potential of a(BH)max value exceeding 300 kJ·m-3. On the other hand, the calculations for Nd2Fe14B/Fe3B nanocomposite magnets reveal that the distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction deteriorates magnetic properties significantly. Particularly, this tendency is remarkable, when the grain size L is larger than its optimum value, 11 nm. The existence of nonmagnetic boundary layers accelerats this tendency. At σ=0.2, the calculated demagnetization curve for the model magnet composed of Nd2Fe14B(36%)/Fe3B(54%)/NMIP(10%)(Valume fraction) grains(L=15 nm) agrees with that obtained experimentally for a Nd2Fe14B/Fe3B nanocomposite magnet. These results suggest importance of refinement of grain size, suppression of a nonmagnetic intergranular phase, and preparation of homogeneous nanostructure for superior magnetic properties.