Phenylphosphonates of zinc (Zn-PPh), calcium (Ca-PPh) and magnesium (Mg-PPh) were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Samples showed characteristic X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of layered compounds with basal spacing in the range of 14-15 Å. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), all compositions showed the presence of characteristic bands attributed to phenyl aromatic rings, phosphonate and lattice metal-oxygen (M-O) vibrations. Different concentrations of phenylphosphonate particles were applied to stabilize water-in-oil Pickering emulsions using vaseline oil in different w/o fractions. The three particle types showed greater affinity for the oil phase (wettability) and the ability to stabilize the emulsions via the Pickering effect. Ca-PPh particles contained a greater emulsified fraction after 20 days of evaluation. This result can be attributed to the particle morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fibrous morphology of Ca-PPh particles is believed to increase the steric hindrance effect at the surface around the droplets, while the Zn-PPh and Mg-PPh layered particles tended to form clusters.

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) with the composition Zn2Cr, intercalated with acetate and chloride ions were synthesized by co-precipitation with increasing pH and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The samples synthesized at optimized pH showed XRD patterns with basal diffraction peaks typical of layered structures, with basal distances of 7.88 and 12.69 Å for intercalated chloride (Zn2Cr/Cl) and acetate (Zn2Cr/Ac), respectively. After optimization experiments, exchange reactions were performed with different anions, using an excess of five times the anions to be intercalated. Zn2Cr/Cl was exchanged with CH3COO-, F-, Br-, I-, SO42- and NO3-, and Zn2Cr/Ac was exchanged with F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, SO42- and NO3-. Not all reactions were effective, indicating that among the evaluated anions, CH3COO- was preferred for exchange, mainly attributed to the pre-expansion with bigger anions, facilitating the exchange with smaller anions.

ABSTRACT Cobalt oxides (Co3O4) are highly explored as electrodes due to some of their properties such as high theoretical capacitance, low cost and their eco-friendly characteristics. In this study, Co3O4 was synthesized by calcining ZIF-67 and physicochemical characterizations such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were performed. For ZIF-67, IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of Co-N bonds associated with the coordination of cobalt with the 2-methylimidazole ligand, and XRD patterns confirm the typical crystalline structure of the material. In the case of the oxides resulting from the calcination of ZIF-67, the presence of Co-O bonds associated with the spinel structure of Co3O4 is evident, along with a typical crystalline structure. On the other hand, the electrochemical evaluation of Co3O4 showed a specific capacitance of 179.5 F g-1 at 2 A g-1 (186.3 F g-1 at mV s-1), with a retention of 92% after 100 charge/discharge cycles in alkaline media. Finally, this electrochemical behavior combined with the versatility of the synthesis makes these oxides potential materials for use in charge storage systems.

RESUMEN Los óxidos de cobalto (Co3O4) son de gran interés para su uso en supercapacitores (SCs) por su alta capacitancia teórica, baja toxicidad y costo. En este estudio, se sintetizó Co3O4 mediante la calcinación del ZIF-67 y se caracterizó fisicoquímica y estructuralmente con espectroscopia infrarroja (IR) y Raman, difracción de rayos X (DRX) además de microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM-EDS). Para el ZIF-67, los espectros IR muestran enlaces Co-N asociados a la coordinación del cobalto con el 2-metilimidazol, además, los patrones de difracción confirman la estructura cristalina típica del material. Para los óxidos resultantes de la calcinación del ZIF-67 se evidencia la presencia de enlaces Co-O asociados a la estructura de espinela del Co3O4, además de presentar una estructura cristalina típica. Por otro lado, la evaluación electroquímica reveló que los Co3O4 tienen capacitancias específicas de 179,5 F g-1 a 2 A g-1 (186,3 F g-1 a 10 mV s-1), con una retención del 92 % después de 100 ciclos de carga/descarga en medio alcalino. Finalmente, este comportamiento electroquímico sumado a la versatilidad de la síntesis hace de los Co3O4 derivados de ZIF-67 potenciales candidatos para su incorporación en SCs.

Abstract Three different Heat Affected Zones (HAZ) in hot rolled Nickel Free High Nitrogen Stainless Steels (NFHNSS) based on three different peak temperatures were physically simulated using Gleeble Simulator to investigate microstructural evolution and structure-property correlation. Optical microscopy revealed that the austenite grains are recrystallized in the simulated heat affected zone in the peak temperature range of 750 oC to 1050 oC. Extent of recrystallization of grains and nucleation of precipitates varied with peak temperatures. TEM characterization showed the presence of Cr2N precipitate having an average particle size in the range of 300 nm to 395 nm in the simulated HAZ were confirmed by Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) analysis. Precipitation kinetics of Cr2N were simulated using Thermo-Calc were found to correlate well with experimental values. Mechanical properties of specimens taken from three different HAZ were evaluated for tensile strength and hardness. Variation in strength of the different specimens has been discussed using various strengthening models. Fractography analysis was also carried out to understand the effect of peak temperature on fracture behaviour. Transition in fracture patterns in NFHNSS from ductile to mixed mode was observed for different specimens.

Thin films of titanium aluminum nitride (Ti(1-x)AlxN) were deposited on silicon, copper, and plasma nitrided AISI D2 tool steel substrates through reactive direct current grid-assisted magnetron sputtering. The depositions were performed in the metal and compound modes using nitrogen flow rates of (7.2 ± 0.1) sccm and (6.8 ± 0.2) sccm, respectively. The relations between the process parameters and the crystallographic orientation were investigated. Chemical and mechanical properties were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and instrumented indentation technique (IIT). X-ray diffraction spectra and electron diffraction patterns revealed the presence of a Ti(1-x)AlxN phase with a face-centered cubic structure in both films. In metal mode, the coatings exhibited a preferential (111) plane orientation, changing to (200) in the compound mode. The change in preferential orientation was influenced by the reactive gas partial pressure.

In this study, a laccaic acid-modified TiO2 photocatalyst (Lac-TiO2) was prepared via an impregnation method with 0.50, 1.00, 2.50, and 5.00 wt.% laccaic acid. The products’ physical properties were examined through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed. XRD patterns revealed the anatase phase of TiO2 and Lac-TiO2 samples. High-magnification FE-SEM images showed that the TiO2 and Lac-TiO2 samples exhibited spherical-like structures. XPS results complementarily confirmed the presence of Ti, O, and C as the main elements of the Lac-TiO2 samples. Interestingly, the DRS spectra of the Lac-TiO2 samples extended into the visible region. FTIR spectra presented the characteristic bands of TiO2 and hydroxyl groups on the TiO2 surface. Instead of hydroxyl groups, the characteristic bands of laccaic acid were observed on the surface of the Lac-TiO2 samples. The photocatalytic properties of the Lac-TiO2 samples were evaluated in terms of methyl orange degradation under visible light irradiation. The Lac-TiO2 samples showed higher photocatalytic performance than the TiO2 sample.

Resumen Caracterización y distribución de adularia y otros minerales de alteración mediante análisis de difracción de rayos X en el depósito epitermal El Peñón, norte de Chile. El depósito epitermal de baja sulfuración El Peñón, ubicado en el cinturón metalogénico del Paleoceno, en la región de Antofagasta, norte de Chile, está constituido por vetas y brechas portadoras de Au-Ag hospedadas en rocas volcánicas hidrotermalmente alteradas. Las vetas y halos de roca alterada contienen minerales como adularia, carbonatos y arcillas generados por el metasomatismo producto de la interacción de la roca huésped con fluidos hidrotermales, de características reducidas, pH cercano a neutro y enriquecidos en oro que circularon por estructuras. En este trabajo se estudia la distribución espacial de estos minerales (en particular de adularia) en la veta Aleste y en su roca hospedante, localizada en la parte norte del distrito, con la finalidad de establecer su relación con la mena de Au-Ag y, así, apoyar la identificación de nuevos objetivos de exploración. Para esto se desarrolló una metodología de difracción de rayos X, en muestras de roca total, para diferenciar adularia de otros feldespatos potásicos mediante 4 picos secundarios presentes en el patrón de difracción de este mineral. Además, se realizaron perfiles de distribución de adularia y otros minerales de alteración hidrotermal en una sección transversal a la veta Aleste. Los resultados indican que la adularia se produce en asociación con rocas félsicas y está restringida en unidades de composición intermedia. Este mineral se correlaciona con las zonas mineralizadas y su abundancia semicuantitativa entre 25 a 40% de adularia es un buen indicador de mineralización. La sericita e illita se presentan principalmente donde la adularia es escasa o ausente. Estos minerales mostraron el control estructural en la evolución y trayectoria de los fluidos hidrotermales hacia la superficie. La caolinita está relacionada con la alteración argílica causada por el vapor de fluidos hidrotermales y la alteración argílica avanzada asociada a una alteración supérgena posterior. La clorita suele estar lejos de las áreas mineralizadas; por lo tanto, podría ser un indicador confiable de los márgenes del sistema. La caracterización y distribución de los minerales de alteración por el método de difracción de rayos X en las vetas del depósito El Peñón muestran la capacidad de este tipo de análisis para determinar posibles objetivos de prospección.

Abstract The El Peñón low-sulfidation epithermal deposit, located in the Paleocene metallogenic belt in the Antofagasta region, northern Chile, consists of Au-Ag bearing veins and hydrothermal breccias hosted in volcanic rocks and surrounded by alteration haloes consisting of a series of minerals, such as adularia, carbonates and clay minerals. They are the result of metasomatism generated by the passage of reduced, and near neutral pH, hydrothermal fluids, that transported gold through structures and its interaction with the host rock. We investigated the spatial distribution of these minerals (mainly adularia) in the Aleste vein and its host rock, located in the northern part of the district, to establish their relationship with the Au-Ag ore and, thus, support the identification of new exploration targets. An X-ray diffraction technique to discriminate adularia from other K-feldspars in whole rock samples was developed by the detail study of the diffractogram patterns of an adularia standard. The study of an X-ray diffraction standard pattern allowed the recognition of this mineral by 4 secondary peaks. Our results indicated that adularia occurs in association with felsic volcanic rocks, and it is restricted in intermediate composition units. The spatial distribution of this mineral is correlated with the mineralized zones, being adularia semi-quantitative abundance in the range of 25 to 40% a good indicator of gold mineralization. Sericite and illite occur mainly where adularia is scarce or absent. The spatial distribution of these minerals showed the structural control in the evolution and flow path of the hydrothermal fluids toward the surface. Kaolinite is related to argillic alteration caused by steam-heated fluids, and the advanced argillic alteration associated with later supergene alteration. Chlorite usually is far from the mineralized areas; therefore, it could be a reliable indicator of the margins of the system. The characterization and spatial distribution pattern of the alteration minerals identified by the X-ray diffraction method in the veins of El Peñón deposit show the capability of this type of analyses in determining possible prospection targets.

Abstract: Plant biomass is a potential lignocellulose material for the synthesis of carbon nanostructures. Its characteristics as adsorbent and its particle size make it a good additive for liquid fertilizers. In this research, we study the influence of different sequential pyrolysis methods (the hydrothermal-microwave method and the reflux-microwave method) on the characteristics of carbon nanostructures from sugarcane leaf biomass. Both the reflux and hydrothermal methods were adjusted at 200 oC, then followed by microwave treatment at 800 W. Characterization using X-ray diffraction showed that the hydrothermal - microwave method indicated the diffractogram patterns of both carbon nanostructures and cellulose. SEM micrographs show sphere and block shapes. The FTIR spectra indicates different concentrations of oxy surface functional groups. The UV spectra of the dispersed product in water indicates the presence of aromatics C=C groups. The hydrothermal-microwave method resulted the product in which lower crystalinity index of cellulose, smaller particles, lower concentration of the oxy surface groups than the reflux - microwave one. The correlation of the chemical properties (aromaticity and fraction of polar groups) was more linier than of physical - chemical properties (index of cellulose crystalinity and fraction of polar groups). The test of dispersion stability showed that qualitatively sonication gave the most transparent brown colloid and after keeping for 11 h, the sonication gave the highest TDS.

Abstract Recently, there has been increasing importance on scaffold materials that could be used in biomaterials. In the present study, equimolar TiNbZr medium entropy alloys (MEAs) and porous TiNbZr alloy scaffolds were produced by mechanical alloying (MA) that is a powder metallurgy processing technique. The MA process was carried out using high energy planetary ball mill. Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) at different percentage ratio was used as space holder to fabricate the porous TiNbZr scaffolds with using space-holder sintering method. Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) was performed for consolidation of mechanically alloyed powders. Finally, the green compact samples were sintered in tube furnace under vacuum atmosphere. The microstructural analyses, phase composition, porosity and density measurement, compression and microhardness tests and wear resistance of bulk alloys were examined. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns of all samples indicated the dominant β-Ti phases and small amount of α-Ti phase. SEM (scanning electron microscope) images for porous TiNbZr alloy scaffolds demonstrated that porosity increased with increase of space holders amount. With the increasing porosity content, density, hardness, compressive strength and the elastic modulus of samples decreased while wear rate increased.

RESUMO A utilização de fibras celulósicas em matrizes cimentícias pode apresentar um efeito inibitório causando incompatibilidade química e inviabilizando o processo de produção de materiais de construção civil reforçados com fibras de celulose. Já as microceluloses geralmente aceleram a produção de gel de hidrato de silicato de cálcio (CSH) acelerando o grau de hidratação do cimento. Assim, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo o entendimento das interações combinadas entre microcelulose cristalina e fibra de celulose (MCC e FC) no processo de hidratação das pastas cimentícias. Os resultados obtidos no ensaio de inibição das pastas apontaram uma boa compatibilidade das fibras celulósicas e do sistema FC/MCC com as pastas cimentícias. Já para pastas cimentícias com substituição de cinza volante, o sistema FC/0,6%MCC apresentou moderada inibição apresentando diferença estatística significativa em relação aos demais tratamentos. Através do ensaio de difração de raios—X foi possível concluir que tanto as fibras celulósicas quanto o sistema FC/MCC não influenciaram na mineralogia dos compósitos, onde os padrões de difração mostraram os produtos de hidratação típicos dos aglomerantes minerais. Na análise de DRX foi possível identificar a redução dos picos de magnitude da Portlandita, com a incorporação de celulose MCC nas pastas cimentícias, o que indica menor disponibilidade de produtos C-S-H, podendo correlacionar com o retardo na hidratação das pastas cimentícias contendo celuloses FC/MCC.

ABSTRACT The use of cellulose fibers in cement matrix can present an inhibitory effect causing chemical incompatibility. The production process of civil construction materials reinforced with cellulose fibers can be rendered unfeasible. On the other hand, microcelluloses usually accelerate the production of calcium silicate hydrate gel (CSH) accelerating the cement hydration degree. The present work aims at understanding the combined interactions between crystalline microcellulose and cellulose fiber (MCC and FC) in the hydration process of cement pastes. The results obtained in the paste inhibition test pointed out a good compatibility of cellulose fibers and the FC/MCC system with cement pastes. For cement pastes with fly ash substitution, the FC/0,6%MCC system showed moderate inhibition with a statistically significant difference from the other treatments. Through the X-ray diffraction test it was possible to conclude that both cellulosic fibers and the FC/MCC system did not influence the mineralogy of the composites, where the diffraction patterns showed the typical hydration products of mineral binders. In the XRD analysis it was possible to identify the reduction of the Portlandite magnitude peaks, with the incorporation of cellulose MCC in the cement pastes.

RESUMO O intemperismo de alguns minerais silicáticos em rochas moídas pode ocorrer em alguns dias de cultivo e gerar diferentes propriedades físico-químicas, com benefícios potenciais a solos tropicais. Objetivou-se investigar a infuência da rizosfera do milho (Zea mays L.) nos produtos do intemperismo e na capacidade de troca de cátions da biotita-Mg da biotita xisto e biotita-Fe da biotita sienito. Um experimento em vasos foi conduzido de forma que plantas e rochas moídas foram avaliadas por sete ciclos de cultivo sucessivos. Os nutrientes ferro e potássio foram adquiridos da biotita xisto e da biotita sienito durante o cultivo. O intemperismo das biotitas promovido pela rizosfera causou mudanças mineralógicas. A mudança mais expressiva nos padrões da difração de raios-X ocorreu na fração com partículas < 53 µm, mas as frações 53-300 µm também mudaram. A alteração na biotita-Mg, que possui menor relação Fe/Mg nos sítios octaedrais que a biotita-Fe, foi responsável pelo maior aumento na capacidade de troca de cátions nas frações < 300 µm. Entretanto, o processo de intemperismo da biotita-Fe, a qual apresenta alta relação Fe/Mg nos sítios octaedrais, não aumentou a capacidade de troca de cátions.

ABSTRACT The weathering of some silicate minerals in crushed rocks may occur in a few days of cropping and generate different physicochemical properties, with potential benefits to tropical soils. This study aimed to investigate the infuence of maize (Zea mays L.) rhizosphere on the weathering products and on the cation exchange capacity of Mg-biotite from biotite schist and Fe-biotite from biotite syenite. An experiment was carried out in pots, so that plants and crushed rock materials could be evaluated during seven successive growth cycles. The nutrients iron and potassium were taken up from biotite schist and biotite syenite during cropping. The weathering of both biotites promoted by the rhizosphere caused mineralogical changes. The most expressive change in the X-ray diffraction patterns occurred in the < 53 µm particle size fraction; however, the 53-300 µm fractions also changed. The alteration in the Mg-biotite, which has a lower Fe/Mg relation in octahedral sites than the Fe-biotite, was responsible for the most expressive cation exchange capacity increase in the fractions < 300 µm. However, the Fe-biotite weathering process, which presents a higher Fe/Mg relation in octahedral sites, did not increase the cation exchange capacity.

Abstract Materials by the modified proteic method based on calcium doped LaMnO3 and LaNiO3, with perovskite structure were prepared. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the presence of the perovskite phase in all materials, whose specific surface area values varied between 27 and 37 m2.g-1. The materials presented efficiency for the removal of Congo red dye and those with site B occupied by nickel presented better adsorptive efficiency. The incorporation of calcium on LaMnO3 or LaNiO3 materials caused an improvement in the performance of the materials for the dye removal from water. The materials maintained perovskite structure after the adsorption tests, allowing their reuse in new adsorption tests with high efficiency.

This study aimed to develop a reliable stability-indicating method (SIM) for amoxicillin 500 mg capsules (DP-drug product). A literature review addressing amoxicillin (AMX; DS-drug substance) forced degradation studies and the existing SIMs was conducted to verify the most significant outcomes. Subsequently, the forced degradation of DP and DS was carried out following the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) guidelines, including thermal degradation (dry and wet heat), acidic and alkaline hydrolyses, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, reaction with copper, and photodegradation. Both DS and DP were more susceptible to 0.015 M NaOH, resulting in approximately 50% degradation. AMX DS and DP were not significantly photodegraded, but some degradation products (PDegs) showed susceptibility to light exposure. Thermodegraded samples showing ≥ 10% degradation exhibited modified profiles in thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRPD) of DS samples exposed to dry and wet heat displayed complete amorphization of AMX, attesting to the occurrence of physical degradation concomitantly with chemical degradation, which can alter the drug’s bioavailability. In contrast, the thermodegraded DP samples exhibited intact AMX crystals interspersed with the amorphous form, perhaps partly protected by the excipient. The validated SIM was able to detect and quantify about 80 PDegs.

Abstract Convergent beam diffraction (CBED) patterns of nanoparticles are possible. CBED of triangular prismatic shaped gold (Au) nanoparticle with focus on diffraction pattern symmetry and forbidden reflections observed along [111] and [112] zone axes are reported in this work. It is well known that the CBED patterns of nanoparticles of 30 nm or less in size only show bright kinematical discs. The dynamic contrast with Kikuchi and sharp HOLZ lines within the bright discs, as observed in CBED of volumetric materials, is well observed in particles larger of 500 nm in size. In addition, it is shown that the 1/3[422] and 1/2[311] weak forbidden reflections observed in the [111] and [112] electron diffraction patterns of these particles do not modify the symmetry of the CBED patterns, but they disappear as the size of the particle increases. The symmetry of the CBED patterns are always observed in concordance with the space group Fm3m (No. 225) of the Au unit cell. The possible explanations for observing forbidden reflections are the incomplete ABC stacking due to surface termination and the stacking faults in the fcc structure.

Resumen Aleaciones cristalinas desordenadas Fe50Mn25+xSn25_x, con x = -1.25, 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, cercanas a las composiciones de Heusler-211, fueron preparadas por fusión en atmósfera inerte, subsecuentemente, sometidas a recocido térmico durante 4 días a 1173 K y, finalmente, enfriadas en agua helada. Todas las aleaciones han sido sistemáticamente analizadas mediante difracción de rayos X, espectroscopias Mössbauer de 57Fe y 119Sn, y medidas de magnetización a temperatura ambiente. Los análisis Rietveld de los difractogramas de las muestras con x = -1.25 y 0.0 muestran la presencia de dos fases cristalográficas hexagonales: (i) la solución solida químicamente desordenada ε-(Fe/Mn)3Sn (mayoritaria), y (ii) el intermetálico ε-Fe5Sn3 (minoritaria); mientras que, las aleaciones con x = 2.5, 5.0 y 7.5, presentan solo la solución sólida desordenada, ε-(Fe/Mn)3(Sn/Fe/Mn). Si bien, las composiciones de las aleaciones Fe50Mn25+xSn25-x son cercanas a las de Heusler-211, ninguna tiene la estructura cúbica L2 1 característica de estas. Los tamaños medios de los cristalitos, calculados por el método de Williamson-Hall, están dentro del rango 62-256 nm y disminuyen cuando x aumenta. Los resultados Mössbauer de todas las aleaciones muestran la característica de magnetismo localizado a través de la distribución de campos magnéticos hiperfinos en los sitios de Fe, y de magnetismo itinerante a través de los campos transferidos desde los átomos de Fe en los núcleos de 119Sn. Los campos coercitivos y remanentes, obtenidos por medidas de magnetización bajo campo magnético aplicado entre -2200 y +2200 Oe, disminuyen cuando x aumenta. Los valores de los campos coercitivos están en el rango de los magnetos blandos (1-20 Oe).

Abstract Disordered crystalline Fe50Mn25+xSn25-x alloys, with x = -1.25, 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 (close to the full-Heusler alloys), were arc-melted in a high purity argon atmosphere and the molten pellets were individually sealed in quartz tubes also under argon atmosphere. Subsequently, they were annealed at 1173 K for 4 days, being finally quenched in a bath with cold water. Structural and magnetic properties have systematically been studied using X-ray diffraction, 57Fe, and 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopies, and magnetization measurements recorded at room temperature. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction patterns of the annealed samples with x = -1.25 and 0 has revealed the presence of two hexagonal crystallographic phases: (i) a chemically disordered solid solution identified as ε-(Fe/Mn)3Sn (majority fraction) and (ii) the ε-Fe5Sn3 intermetallic compound (minority fraction). For samples with x = 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5, the Rietveld analysis has only indicated the presence of a chemically disordered solid solution identified as ε -(Fe/Mn)3(Sn/Fe/Mn). Although compositions of the Fe50Mn25+xSn25_x alloys are close to that of full-Heusler alloys, none of them has the expected L2 1 structure. The average crystallite sizes, estimated from the Williamson-Hall method, are in the range of 256-62 nm. The average sizes has gradually decreased as the x-content is increased. Mössbauer results have shown localized-type magnetism from Fe non-equivalent sites, and itinerant-like magnetism on 119Sn-probes. Magnetic hysteresis loops, recorded at 300 K for a maximum field of 2200 Oe, have indicated that the remanent and coercive fields have systematically decreased as the x-parameter has increased. Coercive fields are in the range for soft magnets (1-20 Oe).