X-Ray Studies of Fe–NiCr Nanocomposites Produced in Underwater Low-Temperature Plasma

Abstract

Fe–NiCr composites obtained in underwater low-temperature plasma excited between two metal electrodes Fe and NiCr in a volume of distilled water were studied using X-ray diffractometry and X-ray microanalysis. It was found that an increase in the discharge plasma current did not significantly affect the cathode sputtering rate but significantly affected the anode sputtering rate. The X-ray diffraction patterns of all synthesized samples contained reflections related to the layered structure. The synthesized products were not single-phase but were a mixture of iron, nickel, and chromium oxides. It was shown that low-temperature underwater plasma is an effective tool for the synthesis of nanocomposites based on metal oxides, the precursors of which are metal electrodes. The results obtained indicate the possibility of the formation of various modifications of iron oxides under underwater plasma conditions with partial replacement of iron ions by other ions with crystal-chemical properties close to those of iron, which can affect the electromagnetic properties of powder nanoparticles.