Synthesis and Use of Intermetallic Iron Palladium Nanoparticle Compositions

A composition comprising:

• an intermetallic magnetic compound of iron oxide and palladium;
• wherein the iron oxide is predominantly Fe2O3;
• the mole fraction of palladium in said compound is at least about 0.70;
• at least about 70% by weight of the palladium present is present on the surface of the nanometer size particles;
• and
• the particle size is below 20 nanometers.

A method of making magnetic nanoparticles that include an intermetallic bond between palladium and iron-oxide, the method comprising:

• combining an iron coordination compound in which the ligand includes oxygen with a palladium coordination compound in which the ligand includes oxygen;
• with the proviso that the iron coordination compound is other than iron carbonyl;
• in the presence of at least one surfactant;
• in an organic solvent;
• and
• providing the mixture with sufficient energy for the iron and palladium coordination compounds to react;
• while moderating the temperature and pressure to produce a magnetic intermetallic compound of the palladium and iron oxide without degrading the surfactant or the or the solvent.

A method of making magnetic nanoparticles that include an intermetallic bond between palladium and iron-oxide, the method comprising:

• combining Fe(acac)2 with Pd(acac)2;
• in the presence of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of oleic acid and oleyl amine;
• in a glycol solvent;
• and
• irradiating the mixture with microwave energy sufficient for the iron and palladium coordination compounds to react;
• while moderating the temperature and pressure to produce an intermetallic compound of the palladium and iron oxide without degrading the surfactant or the or the solvent.