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At least 271 records · Page 15

The effect of dipole-dipole interactions on coercivity, anisotropy constant, and blocking temperature of MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic manganese ferrite nanoparticles with mean size of 〈D〉 = 6.5(±1.5) nm were synthesized through a solvothermal method using Tri-ethylene glycol as a solvent. The peak temperature of zero field cooled measurements of magnetization and AC magnetic susceptibility curves shifted toward higher temperatures by applying different pressures from 0 to 1 kbar and increasing the powders compaction. The frequency dependence of AC susceptibility measurements indicated the presence of weak dipole-dipole interactions between nanoparticles. By increasing the powders compaction and interactions strength, the coercive field (H{sub c}) increased and squareness (M{sub r}/M{sub s}) decreased. The obtained effective anisotropy constant (K{sub eff}), by susceptibility measurements, was from 1.72 × 10{sup 6} to 2.36 × 10{sup 6 }ergs/cm{sup 3} for pressure of 0 to 1 kbar. These values are larger than those obtained from hysteresis loops at 5 K (0.14 × 10{sup 6} to 0.34 × 10{sup 6 }erg/cm{sup 3}). Also, the K{sub eff} was two orders of magnitude greater than that of bulk MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Size, surface effects, and total energy barrier between equilibrium states were reported as the main causes of large anisotropy. Below 75 K, a signature of weak surface spin glass was observed. However, memory effect experiment indicated that there is no collective superspin glass state in the samples. This study suggests the role of powders compaction on properties of a magnetic nanoparticles system. Furthermore, the coercivity, the anisotropy constant, and the blocking temperature are affected by changing nanoparticles compaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An on-chip colloidal magneto-optical grating

Interacting nano- and micro-particles provide opportunities to create a wide range of useful colloidal and soft matter constructs. In this letter, we examine interacting superparamagnetic polymeric particles residing on designed permalloy (Ni{sub 0.8} Fe{sub 0.2}) shapes that are subject to weak time-orbiting magnetic fields. The precessing field and magnetic barriers that ensue along the outer perimeter of the shapes allow for containment concurrent with independent field-tunable ordering of the dipole-coupled particles. These remotely activated arrays with inter-particle spacing comparable to the wavelength of light yield microscopic on-chip surface gratings for beam steering and magnetically regulated light diffraction applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Effect of Zn-doping on structural and magnetic properties of copper ferrite nanoparticles

The nanoparticles of CuFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (CF) and Cu{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (CZF) were synthesized using co-precipitation method to study the effect of Zn doping in Cu-ferrite. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were well fitted with two-phase structure using Rietveld analysis as Fd-3 m space group (spinel system) and C12/c1 space group (monoclinic system CuO-phase). The average crystallite size of the CF and CZF nanoparticles for spinel structure are 6 and 7 nm respectively. The spinel phase fraction is increased from 56% to 71% with Zn-doping of 20% in CF. The transmission electron micrograph analysis showed the narrow size distribution for CZF nanoparticles. The magnetization plots as a function of magnetic field (M (H)) of CF and CZF nanoparticles indicate superparamagnetic behavior. The magnetization is increased with Zn-doping in CF. The stable spinel Cu-ferrite can be obtained with Zn-doping in CF.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Studies on magnetic properties of chemically synthesized crystalline calcium ferrite nanoparticles

Spinel-type ferrites have taken a very important role for modern electronic industry. Most of these ferrites exhibit low-loss dielectric properties, high resistivity, low eddy current and also high temperature ferromagnetism. Calcium ferrite is one such important metal oxide which is environmentally safe, chemically stable, low cost and greatly abundant. This outstanding material of calcium ferrite is synthesized by a simple chemical precipitation method using NaOH as the precipitating agent. Ferric chloride anhydrous (FeCl{sub 3}) and Calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl{sub 2}.2H{sub 2}O) were used as iron and calcium sources respectively. The samples were heated at 200°C for 8h to obtain homogeneous powder of Calcium ferrite. The powders were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Transmission electrical microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) measurements. The polycrystalline nature of the sample was confirmed by X-ray diffraction study. The magnetic properties of the sample were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. Magnetization curve of the prepared sample depicts that as synthesized calcium ferrite nanoparticles have saturation magnetic moment of 1.74 emu/g and the coercivity of 35.08 Oe with superparamagnetic behavior. The synthesized calcium ferrite nanoparticles with such magnetic properties will be a candidate material for different applications in electronics and exploring its functionality in the field of recently developing semiconductor device physics and spintronics.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Study of static and dynamic magnetic properties of Fe nanoparticles composited with activated carbon

Nanocomposite of Fe nanoparticles with activated carbon has been synthesized to alter the magnetic spin-spin interaction and hence study the dilution effect on the static and dynamic magnetic properties of the Fe nanoparticle system. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image shows the spherical Fe nanoparticles dispersed in carbon matrix with 13.8 nm particle size. Temperature dependent magnetization measurement does not show any blocking temperature at all, right up to the room temperature. Magnetic hysteresis curve, taken at 300 K, shows small value of the coercivity and this small hysteresis indicates the presence of an energy barrier and inherent magnetization dynamics. Langevin function fitting of the hysteresis curve gives almost similar value of particle size as obtained from TEM analysis. Magnetic relaxation data, taken at a temperature of 100 K, were fitted with a combination of two exponentially decaying function. This diluted form of nanoparticle system, which has particles size in the superparamagnetic limit, behaves like a dilute ensemble of superspins with large value of the magnetic anisotropic barrier.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Analysis of the static magnetic field-dependent optical transmission of Ni nanorod colloidal suspensions

The magnetic field-dependent optical transmission of dilute Ni nanorod aqueous suspensions was investigated. A series of four samples of nanorods were synthesized using the AAO template method and processed to stable colloids. The distributions of their length and diameter were characterized by analysis of TEM images and revealed average diameters of ∼25 nm and different lengths in the range of 60 nm–1100 nm. The collinear magnetic and optical anisotropy was studied by static field-dependent transmission measurements of linearly polarized light parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The experimental results were modelled assuming the field-dependent orientation distribution function of a superparamagnetic ensemble for the uniaxial ferromagnetic nanorods in liquid dispersion and extinction cross sections for longitudinal and transversal optical polarization derived from different approaches, including the electrostatic approximation and the separation of variables method, both applied to spheroidal particles, as well as finite element method simulations of spheroids and capped cylindrical particles. The extinction cross sections were compared to reveal the differences associated with the approximations of homogeneous polarization and/or particle shape. The consequences of these approximations for the quantitative analysis of magnetic field-dependent optical transmission measurements were investigated and a reliable protocol derived. Furthermore, the changes in optical cross sections induced by electromagnetic interaction between two nanorods in parallel end-to-end and side-by-side configuration as a function of their separation were studied.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Iron oxide and gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy

Continuous research activities in the field of nanomedicine in the past decade have, to a great extent, been focused on nanoparticle technologies for cancer therapy. Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles (NP) are two of the most studied inorganic nanomaterials due to their unique optical and magnetic properties. Both types of NPs are emerging as promising systems for anti-tumor drug delivery and for nanoparticle-mediated thermal therapy of cancer. In thermal therapy, localized heating inside tumors or in proximity of tumor cells can be induced, for example, with Au NPs by radiofrequency ablation heating or conversion of photon energy (photothermal therapy) and in iron oxide magnetic NPs by heat generation through relaxation in an alternating magnetic field (magnetic hyperthermia). Furthermore, the superparamagnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have led to their use as potent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agents. Surface modification/coating can produce NPs with tailored and desired properties, such as enhanced blood circulation time, stability, biocompatibility and water solubility. To target nanoparticles to specific tumor cells, NPs should be conjugated with targeting moieties on the surface which bind to receptors or other molecular structures on the cell surface. The article presents several approaches to enhancing the specificity of Au and iron oxide nanoparticles for tumor tissue by appropriate surface modification/functionalization, as well as the effect of these treatments on the saturation magnetization value of iron oxide NPs. The use of other nanoparticles and nanostructures in cancer treatment is also briefly reviewed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Actuation of magnetoelastic membranes in precessing magnetic fields

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles incorporated into elastic media offer the possibility of creating actuators driven by external fields in a multitude of environments. Here, magnetoelastic membranes are studied through a combination of continuum mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations. We show how induced magnetic interactions affect the buckling and the configuration of magnetoelastic membranes in rapidly precessing magnetic fields. The field, in competition with the bending and stretching of the membrane, transmits forces and torques that drives the membrane to expand, contract, or twist. We identify critical field values that induce spontaneous symmetry breaking as well as field regimes where multiple membrane configurations may be observed. Our insights into buckling mechanisms provide the bases to develop soft, autonomous robotic systems that can be used at micro- and macroscopic length scales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

GaN/Fe core/shell nanowires for nonvolatile spintronics on Si

We explore the relationship between the structural and magnetic properties of GaN/Fe core/shell nanowires grown epitaxially on Si substrates. The magnetic properties are consistent with the coexistence of two magnetic contributions: a ferromagnetic response from the single-crystalline Fe particles formed at the nanowire tips, and a superparamagnetic response originating from the granular Fe clusters grown on the nanowire sidewalls, giving them a corncob-like morphology. We show that our interpretation of the origin of the magnetic behavior can be confirmed by the viscous decay of magnetic remanence in the nanowires. Ferromagnetic remanence is observed both parallel and perpendicular to the nanowire axis, making such structures appealing as high-density nonvolatile spintronic components on Si.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Growth, electrical, structural, and magnetic properties of half-Heusler CoT i 1 - x F e x Sb

Epitaxial thin films of the substitutionally alloyed half-Heusler series CoTi 1-x Fe x Sb were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InAlAs/InP(001) substrates for concentrations 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0. The influence of Fe on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties was studied and compared to that expected from density functional theory. The films are epitaxial and single crystalline, as measured by reflection high-energy electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction. Using in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, only small changes in the valence band are detected for x ≤ 0.5. For films with x ≥ 0.05, ferromagnetism is observed in SQUID magnetometry with a saturation magnetization that scales linearly with Fe content. A dramatic decrease in the magnetic moment per formula unit occurs when the Fe is substitutionally alloyed on the Co site indicating a strong dependence on the magnetic moment with site occupancy. A crossover from both in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic moments to only in-plane moment occurs for higher concentrations of Fe. Ferromagnetic resonance indicates a transition from weak to strong interaction with a reduction in inhomogeneous broadening as Fe content is increased. Temperature-dependent transport reveals a semiconductor to metal transition with thermally activated behavior for x ≤ 0.5. Anomalous Hall effect and large negative magnetoresistance (up to -18.5% at 100 kOe for x=0.3) are observed for higher Fe content films. Evidence of superparamagnetism for x=0.3 and x=0.2 suggests for moderate levels of Fe, demixing of the CoTi 1-x Fe x Sb films into Fe rich and Fe deficient regions may be present. Atom probe tomography is used to examine the Fe distribution in a x=0.3 film. Finally, statistical analysis reveals a nonhomogeneous distribution of Fe atoms throughout the film, which is used to explain the observed magnetic and electrical behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimizing Magnetite Nanoparticles for Mass Sensitivity in Magnetic Particle Imaging

Purpose: Magnetic particle imaging (MPI), using magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) as tracer material, shows great promise as a platform for fast tomographic imaging. To date, the magnetic properties of MNPs used in imaging have not been optimized. As nanoparticle magnetism shows strong size dependence, we explore how varying MNP size impacts imaging performance in order to determine optimal MNP characteristics for MPI at any driving field frequency f 0 . Methods: Monodisperse MNPs of varying size were synthesized and their magnetic properties characterized. Their MPI response was measured experimentally, at an arbitrarily chosen f 0 = 250 kHz, using a custom-built MPI transceiver designed to detect the third harmonic of MNP magnetization. Results were interpreted using a model of dynamic MNP magnetization that is based on the Langevin theory of superparamagnetism and accounts for sample size distribution, and size-dependent magnetic relaxation. Results: Our experimental results show clear variation in the MPI signal intensity as a function of MNP size that is in good agreement with modeled results. A maxima in the plot of MPI signal vs. MNP size indicates there is a particular size that is optimal for the chosen frequency of 250 kHz. Conclusions: For MPI at any chosen frequency, there will exist a characteristic particle size that generates maximum signal amplitude. We illustrate this at 250 kHz with particles of 15 nm core diameter.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure and magnetoresistance of a Ni{sub 79.7}Fe{sub 14.0}Co{sub 2.8}Zr{sub 2.0}Cu{sub 1.5} thin film

The structure and magnetoresistance R of thin films based on Ni{sub 80}Fe{sub 20} permalloy doped with Co, Zr, and Cu have been examined by X-ray diffraction analysis and resistance measurement. The films have been obtained by ion plasma sputtering on oxidized silicon, fused quartz, and glass ceramic cold substrates. It has been shown that the structure of a film in the initial state is a mixture of solid solutions based on two phases: Ni(fcc) particles with a size of L Almost-Equal-To 8 nm and (Zr{sub 0.67}Ni{sub 0.22}O{sub 0.11}){gamma} particles with a size of L Almost-Equal-To 12 nm. The R(H) dependences on the strength and direction of the magnetic field H have been obtained at room temperature for film samples in the initial state and after isothermal annealing at 653 K for 1 h. According to R(H) dependences and X-ray diffraction analysis, films in the initial state are assumingly in a superparamagnetic state, whereas they exhibit ferromagnetic properties after isothermal annealing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

ESR and Mössbauer Spectroscopic Study of Sr-Doped Ytterbium Ferromanganites

In this paper, we have studied the crystal structure of strontium-substituted manganite and ytterbium ferromanganites Yb{sub 0.82}Sr{sub 0.18}Mn{sub 1–} {sub x}Fe{sub x}O{sub 3} (x = 0–0.2) by using X-ray diffraction analysis. Magnetic microstructure has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear gamma-resonance (Mössbauer) spectroscopy. We have observed phase separation in the ceramics for antiferromagnetic, superparamagnetic, and ferromagnetic phases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Properties of MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} Nanoparticles Synthesized by Ultrasonic Aerosol Pyrolysis for Biomedical Applications

We present the data of studies on the structure, phase states, and magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of magnesium ferrite spinel (MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}), synthesized by ultrasonic aerosols pyrolysis. Primary single-phase MNPs with an average size of 9.6, 11.5, and 14.0 nm, synthesized from precursors at concentrations of 0.06, 0.12, and 0.24 M, respectively, agglomerate into tightly aggregated spherical particles (secondary particles) with sizes of 206, 300, and 340 nm, respectively. Primary particles inside the spheres do not interact with each other and are in a superparamagnetic state. There is a layer on the surface of the particles, the magnetic structure of which differs from the structure of the inner part of the MNP; this is explained by the formation of a canted spin structure or a spin glass state in the surface layer of the MNPs. MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanospheres obtained from a precursor at a concentration of 0.06 M are most promising as valid sources of heat in magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Obtaining Iron-Oxide Films on Sapphire Substrates

Iron-oxide films on sapphire substrates were obtained using laser radiation with 1064-nm wavelength and studied by methods of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy. The obtained Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} films probably occur in a superparamagnetic state and may find application in gas sensors and various magnetic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Radiative Grain Alignment in Protoplanetary Disks: Implications for Polarimetric Observations

We apply the theory of radiative torque (RAT) alignment for studying protoplanetary disks around a T-Tauri star and perform 3D radiative transfer calculations to provide the expected maps of polarized radiation to be compared with observations, such as with ALMA. We revisit the issue of grain alignment for large grains expected in the protoplanetary disks and find that mm-sized grains at the midplane do not align with the magnetic field since the Larmor precession timescale for such large grains becomes longer than the gaseous damping timescale. Hence, for these grains the RAT theory predicts that the alignment axis is determined by the grain precession with respect to the radiative flux. As a result, we expect that the polarization will be in the azimuthal direction for a face-on disk. It is also shown that if dust grains have superparamagnetic inclusions, magnetic field alignment is possible for (sub-)micron grains at the surface layer of disks, and this can be tested by mid-infrared polarimetric observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Nanostructured materials for selective collection of trace-level metals from aqueous systems.

Nanostructured materials for selective collection of trace-level metals from aqueous systems A critical ability for responding to situations involving environmental contaminants is the ability to quickly identify the contaminant(s) involved and the scope of the contamination. Simple field-screening methods are needed to enable on-site, information allocation and decision making. Currently, analytical technology does not exist to allow quick, accurate, and efficient analysis. Existing field-screening methods lack the selectivity and sensitivity needed to provide key information. A large leap in performance is needed and is very unlikely to be achieved with incremental improvements in procedure, instrument design, or improved electronics. A new analytical approach is required. Deficiencies in selectivity and sensitivity can be addressed with high-performance sorbent materials capable of selectively concentrating the target analytes and removing them from the sample matrix. By concentrating and removing the target analyte, these sorbent materials provide a well-defined matrix for analysis. This chapter examines the use of nanostructured materials for the selective collection of trace-level metals from aqueous systems. The focus lies on thiol-functionalized materials. Focusing on thiol surface chemistry allows comparison of mesoporous silica, activated carbon, and superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The chapter also discusses zeolites, imprinted polymer materials, and activated carbon in general. The materials reviewed here are evaluated based on capacity, selectivity, and affinity for target analytes. Research presented here shows that correctly constructed nanostructured materials are superior to conventional sorbents.

nanomaterials, nanostructures, SAMMS, trace level ↗