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Results for “SUPERPARAMAGNETISM”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Experimental evidence for the formation of CoFe{sub 2}C phase with colossal magnetocrystalline-anisotropy

Attainment of magnetic order in nanoparticles at room temperature is an issue of critical importance for many different technologies. For ordinary ferromagnetic materials, a reduction in size leads to decreased magnetic anisotropy and results in superparamagnetic relaxations. If, instead, anisotropy could be enhanced at reduced particle sizes, then it would be possible to attain stable magnetic order at room temperature. Herein, we provide experimental evidence substantiating the synthesis of a cobalt iron carbide phase (CoFe{sub 2}C) of nanoparticles. Structural characterization of the CoFe{sub 2}C carbide phase was performed by transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and energy electron spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction was also performed as a complimentary analysis. Magnetic characterization of the carbide phase revealed a blocking temperature, T{sub B}, of 790 K for particles with a domain size as small as 5 ± 1 nm. The particles have magnetocrystalline anisotropy of 4.6 ± 2 × 10{sup 6 }J/m{sup 3}, which is ten times larger than that of Co nanoparticles. Such colossal anisotropy leads to thermally stable long range magnetic order. Moreover, the thermal stability constant is much larger than that of the commonly used FePt nanoparticles. With thermal stability and colossal anisotropy, the CoFe{sub 2}C nanoparticles have huge potential for enhanced magnetic data storage devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhancement in magnetic properties of magnesium substituted bismuth ferrite nanoparticles

We report a potential way to effectively improve the magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) nanoparticles through Mg{sup 2+} ion substitution at the Fe-sites of BFO lattice. The high purity and structural changes induced by Mg doping are confirmed by X-ray powder diffractometer and Raman spectra. Enhanced magnetic properties are observed in Mg substituted samples, which simultaneously exhibit ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic properties at room temperature. A physical model is proposed to support the observed ferromagnetism of Mg doped samples, and the superparamagnetic properties are revealed by the temperature dependent magnetization measurements. The improved magnetic properties and soft nature obtained by Mg doping in BFO nanoparticles demonstrate the possibility of BFO nanoparticles to practical applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Alternate current magnetic property characterization of nonstoichiometric zinc ferrite nanocrystals for inductor fabrication via a solution based process

We investigate the ac magnetic behavior of solution processable, non-stoichiometric zinc ferrite nanocrystals with a series of sizes and zinc concentrations. Nearly monodisperse Zn{sub x}Fe{sub 3−x}O{sub 4} nanocrystals (x = 0–0.25) with an average size ranging from 7.4 nm to 13.8 nm are synthesized by using a solvothermal method. All the nanocrystals are in a superparamagnetic state at 300 K, which is confirmed by Superconductive Quantum Interference Device magnetometry. Due to the doping of non-magnetic Zn{sup 2+} into A site of ferrite, the saturation magnetization of nanocrystals increases as the size and Zn concentration increases. The ac magnetic permeability measurements at radio frequencies reveal that the real part of the magnetic permeability of similarly sized ferrite nanocrystals can be enhanced by almost twofold as the Zn{sup 2+} doping level increases from 0 to 0.25. The integration of 12.3 nm Zn{sub 0.25}Fe{sub 2.75}O{sub 4} nanocrystals into a toroidal inductor and a solenoid inductor prepared via a simple solution cast process yields a higher quality factors than air core inductors with the same geometries up to 5 MHz and 9 MHz, respectively, which is in the regime of the switching frequencies for the advanced integrated power converters.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Field induced polarization and magnetization behaviour of Gd-doped lead magnesium niobate ceramics

Both superparaelectric and superparamagnetic behaviour has been observed in rare earth magnetic ion Gd{sup 3+} doped Lead Magnesium Niobate (Gd-PMN). Field induced polarization and magnetization studies reveal hystresis loss free P-E and M-H loop at 300 K and 5 K, respectively. Temperature dependence of inverse susceptibility plot shows deviation at a temperature “t{sub d}” when fitted with the Curie-Weiss law. This deviation has been attributed to transition from paramagnetic to superparamagnetic behaviour as reported in amorphous Pd-Ni-Fe-P alloys.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Role of spin-transfer torques on synchronization and resonance phenomena in stochastic magnetic oscillators

A theoretical study on how synchronization and resonance-like phenomena in superparamagnetic tunnel junctions can be driven by spin-transfer torques is presented. We examine the magnetization of a superparamagnetic free layer that reverses randomly between two well-defined orientations due to thermal fluctuations, acting as a stochastic oscillator. When subject to an external ac forcing, this system can present stochastic resonance and noise-enhanced synchronization. We focus on the roles of the mutually perpendicular damping-like and field-like torques, showing that the response of the system is very different at low and high frequencies. We also demonstrate that the field-like torque can increase the efficiency of the current-driven forcing, especially at sub-threshold electric currents. These results can be useful for possible low-power, more energy efficient applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2010

Tuning the magnetic properties of Zn1-xCoxO films

We compare the magnetic properties of two types of Co-doped ZnO films grown on sapphire with distinct structural quality. SQUID magnetometry as well as element-specific synchrotron studies reveal pure paramagnetic behavior for the samples with the highest structural quality, whereas samples with reduced structural quality exhibit superparamagnetic blocking behavior. In this sample signatures of phase separation are detected by X-ray diffraction and X-ray linear dichroism which accounts for the superparamagnetic blocking.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Lignocellulose-stabilized iron-palladium nanomagnetic biocomposites

In this study we report the synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic Fe-Pd (1–75 at.% Fe) nanomagnets grown within a lignocellulose fiber matrix for future advanced material applications. The small (~5 nm diameter) Fe-Pd nanoparticles are crystalline with spherical shape and evenly dispersed throughout the lignocellulose support while preserving the structure of the biopolymer matrix. Material characterization of the as-formed biocomposites confirms primarily zero-valent Pd-Fe alloy with a thin surface oxide layer. Normal superparamagnetic behavior consistent with extremely small nanoparticle size is measured, including increasing measured blocking temperature with increasing Fe concentration. Finally, important mass loading effects of metallic nanoparticles within the lignocellulose matrix are measured and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Charge ordering and multiferroicity in Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5} and Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5} oxyborates

The comparison of Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5} and Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5} reveals that the 2Fe{sup 2+}: Fe{sup 3+} charge ordering of the former is suppressed in the latter. Spin dynamics probed by ac susceptibility are strongly affected by the substitution, inducing superparamagnetism at low temperature in Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5}. Interestingly, for both oxyborates, glassiness is observed in the dielectric properties at low temperature, but only Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5} shows a magnetodielectric effect close to its lower magnetic transition. A change in the electrical polarization, measured by pyroelectric current integration, is observed in Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5} and is even more pronounced in Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5}. Such results suggest that these oxyborates behave like antiferromagnetic relaxor ferroelectrics. These features are proposed to be related to the distribution of the species (Fe{sup 3+}, Fe{sup 2+} and Mn{sup 2+}) over the four transition metal sites forming the ludwigite structure. - Graphical abstract: 90 K [010] electron diffraction patterns of Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5}. The yellow arrows in the pattern indicate the extra-spots corresponding to the superstructure induced by the charge ordering. - Highlights: • The TEM (ED) study of the Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5} oxyborate at 90 K reveals a superstructure related to a Fe{sup 2+}/Fe{sup 3+} ordering. • The Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5}, Mn-substituted counterpart, does not show such ordering. • Our magnetic and electric measurements demonstrate that these magnetic ferrites exhibit glassiness in their charges (relaxor-type) with additional superparamagnetism at low T for Fe{sub 2}MnBO{sub 5} and magnetodielectric coupling near T{sub N2}=72 K in Fe{sub 3}BO{sub 5}. • The pyroelectric measurements confirm the existence of a ferroelectric behavior in these antiferromagnets. Accordingly, our results open the route to the study of other large class of the M{sub 2}{sup 2+}M’{sup 3+}BO{sub 5} ludwigites and to their complex magnetism and its relationship to relaxor ferroelectricity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Electric, thermoelectric and magnetic characterization of γ-Fe2O3 and Co3O4 nanoparticles synthesized by facile thermal decomposition of metal-Schiff base complexes

Highlights: • Fe and Co oxide NPs were prepared from Schiff base complexes as new precursors. • The electrical conduction in Fe and Co oxide NPs is governed by hopping processes. • Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs show weak ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature. • γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs have superparamagnetic behavior. - Abstract: Using novel compounds for synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials can tune their physical properties due to the associated variation in the shape, size and crystallinity. In this work, γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a facile thermal decomposition route, employing [Fe(C{sub 32}H{sub 22}N{sub 4}O{sub 2})]·2H{sub 2}O and [Co(C{sub 16}H{sub 11}N{sub 3}O{sub 4})].(1/2)H{sub 2}O complexes, respectively as new precursors. The x-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy investigation confirmed that the materials consist of highly pure spinel γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with average size of ∼ 9 and 30 nm, respectively. The electrical conduction is governed by the hopping mechanism. The thermoelectric power measurements confirmed that Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles are non-degenerate semiconductor with Fermi energy ∼1.21 eV while γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles showed a degenerate to non-degenerate transition. The Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles showed a weak ferromagnetic ordering that could be attributed to uncompensated surface spins due to finite-size effects. But γ- Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NPs show superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Self-Assembled Magnetic Nanoparticle Layers: Structural Control for Reconfigurable Magnetism and Functional Applications

We advance soft X-ray vector ptychographic tomography to map the 3D magnetization field in self-assembled superparamagnetic nanoparticles at a liquid–liquid interface, revealing how layered structures influence magnetic ordering. We observe that monolayers with low coordination numbers exhibit weak magnetic order, with magnetic vortices disrupting spin alignment. In contrast, bilayers and trilayers with higher coordination numbers display long-range magnetic order with strong spin correlations across larger distances and a suppression of magnetic vortices. We further quantify the average distance for vortex–antivortex pairs as 26.0 ± 2.0 nm, while vortex–vortex and antivortex–antivortex pairs exhibit larger separations, averaging 44.9 ± 5.2 and 54.1 ± 7.4 nm, respectively. These experimental results are supported by micromagnetic Monte Carlo simulations. Our findings illustrate how layered structures enhance magnetic order and spin correlation in superparamagnetic nanoparticle assemblies, providing a promising approach for tuning magnetic properties in applications such as data storage, microrobotics, and biomedicine.

Lu, Xingyuan↗
DOE OSTI2011

Nanospheres of a New Intermetalic FeSn5 Phase: Synthesis Magnetic Properties and Anode Performance in Li-ion Batteries

We synthesized monodisperse nanospheres of an intermetallic FeSn{sub 5} phase via a nanocrystal-conversion protocol using preformed Sn nanospheres as templates. This tetragonal phase in P4/mcc space group, along with the defect structure Fe{sub 0.74}Sn{sub 5} of our nanospheres, has been resolved by synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. Importantly, FeSn{sub 5}, which is not yet established in the Fe-Sn phase diagram, exhibits a quasi-one dimensional crystal structure along the c-axis, thus leading to interesting anisotropic thermal expansion and magnetic properties. Magnetization measurements indicate that nanospheres are superparamagnetic above the blocking temperature T{sub B} = 300 K, which is associated with the higher magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K = 3.33 kJ m{sup -3}. The combination of the magnetization measurements and first-principles density functional theory calculations reveals the canted antiferromagnetic nature with significant spin fluctuation in lattice a-b plane. The low Fe concentration also leads Fe{sub 0.74}Sn{sub 5} to enhanced capacity as an anode in Li ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Controlled Phase and Tunable Magnetism in Ordered Iron Oxide Nanotube Arrays Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

Highly-ordered and conformal iron oxide nanotube arrays on an atomic scale are successfully prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) with controlled oxidization states and tunable magnetic properties between superparamagnetism and ferrimagnetism. Non-magnetic α-Fe 2 O 3 and superparamagnetic Fe 2 O 3 with a blocking temperature of 120 K are in-situ obtained by finely controlling the oxidation reaction. Both of them exhibit a very small grain size of only several nanometers due to the nature of atom-by-atom growth of the ALD technique. Post-annealing α-Fe 2 O 3 in a reducing atmosphere leads to the formation of the spinel Fe 3 O 4 phase which displays a distinct ferrimagnetic anisotropy and the Verwey metal-insulator transition that usually takes place only in single crystal magnetite or thick epitaxial films at low temperatures. Finally, the ALD deposition of iron oxide with well-controlled phase and tunable magnetism demonstrated in this work provides a promising opportunity for the fabrication of 3D nano-devices to be used in catalysis, spintronics, microelectronics, data storages and bio-applications.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evidence of Magnetic Inversion in Single Ni Nanoparticles

Superparamagnetism is an unwanted property of small magnetic particles where the magnetization of the particle flips randomly in time, due to thermal noise. There has been an increased attention in the properties of superparamagnetic particles recently, because of their potential applications in high density storage and medicine. In electron transport through single nanometer scale magnetic particles, the current can also cause the magnetization to flip randomly in time, even at low temperature. Here we show experimental evidence that when the current is then reduced towards zero in the applied magnetic field, the magnetization can reliably freeze about a higher anisotropy-energy minimum, where it tends to be inverted with respect to the magnetic field direction. Specifically, we use spin-unpolarized tunneling spectroscopy of discrete levels in single Ni particles 2–4 nm in diameter at mK-temperature, and find that the the magnetic excitation energy at the onset of current decreases when the magnetic field increases, reaching near degeneracy at nonzero magnetic field. We discuss the potential for spintronic applications such as current induced magnetization switching without any spin-polarized leads.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electronic structure of cobalt doped CdSe quantum dots using soft X-ray spectroscopy

Here, the electronic structure and magnetic properties of cobalt doped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are studied using electron microscopy, soft X-ray spectroscopy, and magnetometry. Magnetometry measurements suggest these QDs are superparamagnetic, contrary to a spin-glass state observed in the bulk analogue. Electron microscopy shows well formed QDs, but with cobalt existing as doped into the QD and as unreacted species not contained in the QD. X-ray absorption measurements at the Co L3-edge suggest that changes in spectra features as a function of particle size can be described considering combination of a cobalt ion in a tetrahedral crystal field and an octahedrally coordinated (impurity) phase. With decreasing particle sizes, the impurity phase increases, suggesting that small QDs can be difficult to dope.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Magnetic gold nanotriangles by microwave-assisted polyol synthesis

Simple approaches to synthesize hybrid nanoparticles with magnetic and plasmonic functionalities, with high control of their shape and avoiding cytotoxic reactants, to target biomedical applications remain a huge challenge. Here, we report a facile, fast and bio-friendly microwave-assisted polyol route for the synthesis of a complex multi-material consisting of monodisperse gold nanotriangles around 280 nm in size uniformly decorated by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of 5 nm. These nanotriangles are readily dispersible in water, display a strong magnetic response (10 wt% magnetic fraction) and exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance band in the NIR region (800 nm). Moreover, these hybrid particles can be easily self-assembled at the liquid–air interfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging

Currently, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are the only nanosized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents approved for clinical use, yet commercial manufacturing of these agents has been limited or discontinued. Though there is still widespread demand for these particles both for clinical use and research, they are difficult to obtain commercially, and complicated syntheses make in-house preparation unfeasible for most biological research labs or clinics. To make commercial production viable and increase accessibility of these products, it is crucial to develop simple, rapid and reproducible preparations of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles. Here, we report a rapid, straightforward microwave-assisted synthesis of superparamagnetic dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were produced in two hydrodynamic sizes with differing core morphologies by varying the synthetic method as either a two-step or single-step process. A striking benefit of these methods is the ability to obtain swift and consistent results without the necessity for air-, pH- or temperature-sensitive techniques; therefore, reaction times and complex manufacturing processes are greatly reduced as compared to conventional synthetic methods. This is a great benefit for cost-effective translation to commercial production. The nanoparticles are found to be superparamagnetic and exhibit properties consistent for use in MRI. In addition, the dextran coating imparts the water solubility and biocompatibility necessary for in vivo utilization.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Dynamic magnetic permeability of the heterogeneous nanosystems based on (Co{sub 41}Fe{sub 39}B{sub 20}){sub x}(SiO{sub 2}){sub 100–} {sub x} composites

Thin films of (Co{sub 41}Fe{sub 39}B{sub 20}){sub x}(SiO{sub 2}){sub 100–} {sub x} nanocomposites and hybrid nanocomposite–semiconductor [(Co{sub 41}Fe{sub 39}B{sub 20}){sub x}(SiO{sub 2}){sub 100–} {sub x}/C]{sub 50} multilayers are synthesized by ion-beam deposition at various contents x of ferromagnetic metallic Co{sub 41}Fe{sub 39}B{sub 2O} nanogranules in an SiO{sub 2} matrix and at various carbon layer thicknesses h < 2 nm. Their magnetic and electrical properties, high-frequency magnetic permeability, magnetooptical spectra, and FMR spectra are studied. It is found that both the single-layer nanocomposites and the multilayers with carbon interlayers are superparamagnetic at x < x{sub per}, where x{sub per} is the electric conduction percolation threshold: a hysteresis at room temperature is absent, and the blocking temperature determined in quasi-static measurements does not exceed 20–30 K and weakly depends on the carbon layer thickness. At a carbon layer thickness h = 1.2–1.8 nm, the real and imaginary parts of complex magnetic permeability at 50 MHz and room temperature are substantially higher than those of the nanocomposites without carbon layers: their values are typical of ferromagnets. This dependence points to an exchange interaction between nanogranules in layers through a carbon interlayer. The influence of a conducting layer on the static and dynamic magnetic properties of a system of interacting superparamagnetic particles is discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗