In-Magnetic-Field Heat Treatment Effects on Phase Growth of Mn-Bi-Sn Composite

To investigate the magnetic field effect on the synthesis reaction and phase growth in a Mn-Bi-Sn composite pellet, in -field heat treatments were performed in 5 T at 573 K for 1 to 48 hours. X-ray diffraction measurements and electron probe micro analysis revealed that MnBi phase did not appear but Mn3Sn, Mn3Sn2 and MnSn2 phases were detected in the pellet. In zero -field heat treatment, the phase fraction of Mn3Sn2 increased and that of MnSn2 decreased as the heat treatment time increased. In contrast, no significant change in the phase fractions of Mn3Sn2 and MnSn2 phase was observed in 5 T even if the heat treatment time was increased to 48 h. The obtained results suggested that the application of magnetic field suppressed the diffusion of Mn atoms between Mn-Sn phases.