Synthesis and characterization of Au–Fe alloy nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix by atom beam sputtering

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the formation of AuFe alloy nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix by the cosputtering of silica, Au and Fe with two different metal fractions using an atom beam source. The increase in the metal fraction in the thin film results in the formation of AuFe alloy nanoparticles. The absence of surface plasmon resonance peak for the Au nanoparticles in the optical spectra, structural studies and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the existence of AuFe alloy nanoparticles. The nanocomposite is ferromagnetic at 2 K with a symmetric hysteresis loop. The formation of AuFe alloy nanoparticles in the thin film is explained on the basis of interatomic distance and diffusion during deposition.