Formation of B20-Type Structure in Dilute Si-Doped FeGe Alloy

B20-type structure was predominantly formed as the main phase in FeGe1-xSix alloys (x = 0.01–0.07) via conventional alloying and annealing processes without high-pressure and high-temperature synthesis. The obtained phases were characterised by X-ray diffraction measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy, which infer that the B20 phase has high crystallinity and dilute Si content. A single phase B20-type structure was formed by annealing the FeGe0.97Si0.03 alloy ingot at 873 K for 10 days. The substitution effects on magnetic properties were also investigated, which showed that the Curie temperature of the B20 phases decreased just slightly with the increasing solute Si content. The facile synthesis method is expected to be applicable to further research on the physical properties of B20-type alloys, including the latest subject of magnetic skyrmions.