Cubic versus spherical magnetic nanoparticles: the role of surface anisotropy.

The magnetic properties of maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) cubic and spherical nanoparticles of similar sizes have been experimentally and theoretically studied. The blocking temperature, T(B), of the nanoparticles depends on their shape, with the spherical ones exhibiting larger T(B). Other low temperature properties such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, loop shift or spin canting are rather similar. The experimental effective anisotropy and the Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the different random surface anisotropy of the two morphologies combined with the low magnetocrystalline anisotropy of gamma-Fe2O3 is the origin of these effects.

Robust antiferromagnetic coupling in hard-soft bi-magnetic core/shell nanoparticles.

The growing miniaturization demand of magnetic devices is fuelling the recent interest in bi-magnetic nanoparticles as ultimate small components. One of the main goals has been to reproduce practical magnetic properties observed so far in layered systems. In this context, although useful effects such as exchange bias or spring magnets have been demonstrated in core/shell nanoparticles, other interesting key properties for devices remain elusive. Here we show a robust antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling in core/shell nanoparticles which, in turn, leads to the foremost elucidation of positive exchange bias in bi-magnetic hard-soft systems and the remarkable regulation of the resonance field and amplitude. The AFM coupling in iron oxide-manganese oxide based, soft/hard and hard/soft, core/shell nanoparticles is demonstrated by magnetometry, ferromagnetic resonance and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Monte Carlo simulations prove the consistency of the AFM coupling. This unique coupling could give rise to more advanced applications of bi-magnetic core/shell nanoparticles.

Distinguishing the core from the shell in MnO(x)/MnO(y) and FeO(x)/MnO(x) core/shell nanoparticles through quantitative electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis.

The structural and chemical characterization of inverted bi-magnetic MnO(x)(antiferromagnetic)/MnO(y)(ferrimagnetic) and FeO(x)(soft-ferrimagnetic)/MnO(x)(hard-ferrimagnetic) core/shell nanoparticles has been carried out by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy with electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis, (S)TEM-EELS. Quantitative EELS was applied to assess the local composition of the nanoparticles by evaluating the local Mn oxidation state based on the Mn L3/L2 peak intensity ratio and the Mn L3 peak onset. The analysis allows to unambiguously distinguish the core from the shell and to determine the nature of the involved manganese oxides in both cases. The results evidence that the structure of the nanoparticles is, in fact, more complex than the one designed by the synthesis parameters.

Strongly exchange coupled inverse ferrimagnetic soft/hard, Mn(x)Fe(3-x)O4/Fe(x)Mn(3-x)O4, core/shell heterostructured nanoparticles.

Inverted soft/hard, in contrast to conventional hard/soft, bi-magnetic core/shell nanoparticles of Mn(x)Fe(3-x)O(4)/Fe(x)Mn(3-x)O(4) with two different core sizes (7.5 and 11.5 nm) and fixed shell thickness (∼0.6 nm) have been synthesized. The structural characterization suggests that the particles have an interface with a graded composition. The magnetic characterization confirms the inverted soft/hard structure and evidences a strong exchange coupling between the core and the shell. Moreover, larger soft core sizes exhibit smaller coercivities and loop shifts, but larger blocking temperatures, as expected from spring-magnet or graded anisotropy structures. The results indicate that, similar to thin film systems, the magnetic properties of soft/hard core/shell nanoparticles can be fine tuned to match specific applications.

Making flexible magnetic aerogels and stiff magnetic nanopaper using cellulose nanofibrils as templates.

Nanostructured biological materials inspire the creation of materials with tunable mechanical properties. Strong cellulose nanofibrils derived from bacteria or wood can form ductile or tough networks that are suitable as functional materials. Here, we show that freeze-dried bacterial cellulose nanofibril aerogels can be used as templates for making lightweight porous magnetic aerogels, which can be compacted into a stiff magnetic nanopaper. The 20-70-nm-thick cellulose nanofibrils act as templates for the non-agglomerated growth of ferromagnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (diameter, 40-120 nm). Unlike solvent-swollen gels and ferrogels, our magnetic aerogel is dry, lightweight, porous (98%), flexible, and can be actuated by a small household magnet. Moreover, it can absorb water and release it upon compression. Owing to their flexibility, high porosity and surface area, these aerogels are expected to be useful in microfluidics devices and as electronic actuators.

Magnetic proximity effect features in antiferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic core-shell nanoparticles.

A study of "inverted" core-shell, MnO/gamma-Mn(2)O(3), nanoparticles is presented. Crystal and magnetic structures and characteristic sizes have been determined by neutron diffraction for the antiferromagnetic core (MnO) and the ferrimagnetic shell (gamma-Mn(2)O(3)). Remarkably, while the MnO core is found to have a T_{N} not far from its bulk value, the magnetic order of the gamma-Mn(2)O(3) shell is stable far above T_{C}, exhibiting two characteristic temperatures, at T approximately 40 K [T_{C}(gamma-Mn(2)O(3))] and at T approximately 120 K [ approximately T_{N}(MnO)]. Magnetization measurements are consistent with these results. The stabilization of the shell moment up to T_{N} of the core can be tentatively attributed to core-shell exchange interactions, hinting at a possible magnetic proximity effect.

Mesoporous silica-magnetite nanocomposite synthesized by using a neutral surfactant.

Magnetite nanoparticles coated by mesoporous silica were synthesized by an alternative chemical route using a neutral surfactant and without the application of any functionalization method. The magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation from aqueous media, and then coated with mesoporous silica by using nonionic block copolymer surfactants as the structure-directing agents. The mesoporous SiO(2)-coated Fe(3)O(4) samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy, (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Our results revealed that the magnetite nanoparticles are completely coated by well-ordered mesoporous silica with free pores and stable (∼8 nm thick) pore walls, and that the structural and magnetic properties of the Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles are preserved in the applied synthesis route.

Imprinting vortices into antiferromagnets.

The effect of imprinting symmetric and displaced vortex structures into an antiferromagnetic material is investigated in micron-sized disks consisting of exchange coupled ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic bilayers. The imprint of displaced vortices manifests itself by the occurrence of a new type of asymmetric hysteresis loops characterized by curved, reversible, central sections with nonzero remanent magnetization. Such an imprint is achieved by cooling the disks through the blocking temperature of the system in small fields. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that asymmetric vortexlike loops naturally result from the competition between the different energies involved in the system.