(a)

1. Synthesis and Phase transformation studies of MnBi alloy nanoparticles David E. Nikles, University of Alabama, DMR 0934920 (b) (a) We developed a synthesis for preparation of MnBi nanoparticles involving the simultaneous chemical reduction of BiCl3 and thermal decomposition of Mn2(CO)10. The synthesis gave large Bi particles and the X-ray diffraction curve was dominated by the diffraction pattern for Bi metal. There were also smaller particles with a size from 10 to 30 nm, as shown in Figure1(a) and Figure 1(b). A compositional analysis of an individual particle confirmed that the nanoparticle contains both Bi and Mn, as shown in Figure 2. As-prepared the particles were not ferromagnetic, however after annealing at 340 °C the particles showed superparamagnetic behavior, Figure 3. This suggests that the smaller particles were in the ferromagnetic phase of MnBi, except they were too small. Further research is directed at 1) obtaining a pure MnBi phase with no Bi particles, 2) making larger, ferromagnetic MnBi particles with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy.. Figure 1. Bright field (a) and dark field (b) TEM images of MnBi nanoparticles Figure 2. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy of MnBi nanoparticle Figure 3. Magnetic hysteresis curve of annealed MnBi nanoparticles

2. High School Intern and MnBi NanoparticlesDavid E. Nikles, University of Alabama, DMR 0934920 The Center for Materials for Information Technology at the University of Alabama supports summer research experiences for high school students. Brelan Dunn spent the summer of 2012 in Nikles’ labs to discover new chemistry to prepare MnBi nanoparticles. MnBi particles would have very high magnetic anisotropy and may find application in high data storage density magnetic tape and in high energy permanent magnets. Brelan worked closely with Lei Zhang, the graduate student being supported by the NSF. Brelan made the particles and Lei helped him obtain x-ray diffraction data, TEM images and magnetometry curves Brelan is entering his senior year at Hillcrest High School in the Tuscaloosa area. He plans to attend the University of Alabama as an engineering major. I told him I want him back in my labs as an undergraduate research assistant. He is excited about this opportunity Brelan Dunn in the lab Brelan at a poster session being interviewed by a Tuscaloosa News reporter