Preparation and properties of Fe2P

The system Fe2−δP, with the Fe2P structure, has been studied where δ varies from 0 to 0.10. The bulk magnetic properties of these phases have been investigated and correlated with deviations in stoichiometry. Fe2P and Fe1.91P have Curie temperatures of 225 and 223°K, respectively; the observed magnetic moment of these materials varied from 1.28μBFe atom for Fe1.91P to 1.10μBFe atom for Fe2P. The electrical resistivity of single crystal Fe1.91P was measured from 80 to 360°K. Metallic behavior was observed throughout this temperature range. A break in the resistivity curve occurred at 220°K and coincided with the abrupt change in the magnetization curve.