Magnetic birefringence of iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles stabilised by sucrose

Magnetically induced optical birefringence is used to investigate pharmaceutically important iron-sucrose aqueous suspensions. XRD and TEM measurements of the system of oxyhydroxide particles stabilised by sucrose have shown that this system contains iron oxyhydroxide in the form of 2-5 nm particles. The mineral form of the iron-core is suggested to be akaganeite. Anisotropy of the optical polarizability and magnetic susceptibility of akaganeite nanoparticles are calculated. The permanent dipole moment obtained for the nanoparticles studied was found to be negligible, in agreement with the characteristic superparamagnetic behaviour of the magnetic nanoparticles observed at room temperature. The Neel temperature of these nanoparticles is estimated as below 276 K. The results obtained are discussed against a background of the earlier studies of similar nanoscale systems.     

Special features of the functional dependences of magnetic susceptibility of magnetic colloids in porous media

The frequency and temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility of magnetic colloids with large particle sizes placed in porous media have been found to be different from the similar dependences for bulk samples. The observed peculiarities can be explained by the influence of surface phenomena on the processes of relaxation of the magnetic moment of colloidal particles.     

Preparation of magnetic composite microspheres by surfactant free controlled radical polymerization: Preparation and characteristics

Submicron magnetic composite microspheres have been prepared by a new surfactant free controlled radical polymerization. This new approach is based on the use of diphenylethene (DPE) as radical controlling agent and no emulsifier is required. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. were conducted to characterize the magnetite particles and magnetic composite microspheres. The average size of the magnetic composite microspheres prepared by this new approach is 265 nm and the magnetite content of the composite microspheres is around 20%. Furthermore, the magnetic composite microspheres which surfaces have epoxy groups were also prepared.     

Magnetooptical studies of aggregates of nanoparticles in colloidal solutions of magnetite

The birefringence in a colloidal solution of nanosized magnetite particles in kerosene exposed to constant, alternating, and pulsed magnetic fields is studied. Data on the birefringence kinetics in nonstationary magnetic fields is used to determine the hydrodynamic radius of particle aggregates in solutions. The permanent dipole moment of aggregates and the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility are calculated based on the data of magnetooptical experiments. It is shown that the induced dipole moment plays a significant role in an orientation of aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles under the effect of a field.     

Magnetic susceptibility curves of a nanoparticle assembly, I: Theoretical model and analytical expressions for a single magnetic anisotropy energy

We study a model system made of non-interacting monodomain ferromagnetic nanoparticles, considered as macrospins, with a randomly oriented uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. We derive a simple differential equation governing the magnetic moment evolution in an experimental magnetic susceptibility measurement, at low field and as a function of temperature, following the well-known Zero-Field Cooled/Field Cooled (ZFC/FC) protocol. Exact and approximate analytical solutions are obtained, together for the ZFC curve and the FC curve. The notion of blocking temperature is discussed and the influence of various parameters on the curves is investigated. A crossover temperature is defined and a comparison is made between our progressive crossover model (PCM) and the crude “two states” or abrupt transition model (ATM), where the particles are assumed to be either fully blocked or purely superparamagnetic. We consider here the case of a single magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE), which is a prerequisite before considering the more realistic and experimentally relevant case of an assembly of particles with a MAE distribution (cf. part II that follows).     

A new ferromagnetic hysteresis model for soft magnetic composite materials

A new ferromagnetic hysteresis model for soft magnetic composite materials based on their specific properties is presented. The model relies on definition of new anhysteretic magnetization based on the Cauchy-Lorentz distribution describing the maximum energy state of magnetic moments in material. Specific properties of soft magnetic composite materials (SMC) such as the presence of the bonding material, different sizes and shapes of the Fe particles, level of homogeneity of the Fe particles at the end of the SMC product treatment, and achieved overall material density during compression, are incorporated in both the anhysteretic differential magnetization susceptibility and the irreversible differential magnetization susceptibility. Together they form the total differential magnetization susceptibility that defines the new ferromagnetic hysteresis model. Genetic algorithms are used to determine the optimal values of the proposed model parameters. The simulated results show good agreement with the measured results.     

Analytical model for the magnetophoretic capture of magnetic microspheres in microfluidic devices

Magnetic microspheres are used as mobile substrates in micro-total-analysis systems (μTAS), since the particles can be selectively functionalized to attach different bioconjugates and can be precisely manipulated using external magnetic field gradients. A large number of MEMS-based bio-analytical devices employ magnetophoretic separation as an important step during their operation. An analytical technique is proposed in this paper that describes the magnetophoretic transport of magnetic microspheres under an imposed magnetic field when there is a pressure-driven or electroosmotic flow through a microchannel. Successful magnetophoretic capture occurs if the strength of the field-inducing magnetic dipole exceeds a critical value, or if the particles are larger than a critical size. The magnetophoretic separator performance is characterized in terms of capture efficiency. The analysis shows that the capture efficiency is a function of two independent non-dimensional parameters, λ and γ that in turn involve all the physical design and operating parameters of the microfluidic separator, e.g., the dipole strength, particle size and susceptibility, fluid viscosity and velocity, channel height, and the separation of the dipole. Parametric plots of capture efficiency as function of λ and γ helps in choosing the right design and operation parameter of a practical microfluidic separator for a target level of performance.     

Effect of surface treatment of magnetic particles on the preparation of magnetic polymer microspheres by miniemulsion polymerization

Surface treated magnetic particles were used to prepare well encapsulated submicron polystyrene/magnetic (PS/Fe₃O₄) composite microspheres via miniemulsion polymerization. The effects of the different surface treatment agents Disperbyk-106, Disperbyk-111, KH550, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and oleic acid were investigated on the encapsulation of polymer via miniemulsion polymerization. The interface interactions between magnetic particles, dispersants and coupling agents were analyzed from their IR spectra. It was found that Disperbyk-106 was the best dispersant in terms of preparing magnetic polymer microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency. The effect of wet or dry magnetic particles on encapsulation was also discussed.     

Anisotropy in elastic modulus of hydrogel containing magnetic particles

We derive the analytic expression of elastic modulus for a gel containing magnetic particles with a magnetic dipole moment. The obtained elastic modulus is anisotropic and the modulus increases and decreases with the density of magnetic particle when the direction of strain is perpendicular and parallel to the direction of magnetization, respectively. This behavior is qualitatively in good agreement with previous experimental data [T. Mitsumata, et al., Macromol. Rapid Commun. 23, (2002) 178].     

Upon a magnetic composite preparation based on magnetite and poly(succinimide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) shell

Taking into account that magnetic particles with suitable surface characteristics have a high potential for the use in a lot of in vitro and in vivo applications, in the study is presented the in situ preparation of a core-shell magnetic composite based on the magnetite core and the shell composed from the poly(succinimide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer. The average particle size of the synthesized magnetic microspheres is in the range of 6.5-8.8 μm with a magnetite content of around 11%. The saturation magnetization of the microspheres was found 26.8 emu/g, the magnetic microspheres being characterized by superparamagnetic properties. The particles have combined properties of high magnetic saturation and biocompatibility and interactive functions at the surface through the block copolymer shell. The surface of the magnetic particles has also the possibility for further functionalization or the attachment of various bioactive molecules after the hydrolysis of the succinimide cycle and the resulting carboxylic group.     

Magnetic nanostructures as amplifiers of transverse fields in magnetic resonance

We introduce the concept of amplifying the transverse magnetic fields produced and/or detected with inductive coils in magnetic resonance settings by using the reversible transverse susceptibility properties of magnetic nanostructures. First, we describe the theoretical formalism of magnetic flux amplification through the coil in the presence of a large perpendicular DC magnetic field (typical of magnetic resonance systems) achieved through the singularity in the reversible transverse susceptibility in anisotropic single domain magnetic nanoparticles. We experimentally demonstrate the concept of transverse magnetic flux amplification in an inductive coil system using oriented nanoparticles with uni-axial magnetic anisotropy. We also propose a composite ferromagnetic/anti-ferromagnetic core/shell nanostructure system with uni-directional magnetic anisotropy that, in principle, provides maximal transverse magnetic flux amplification.     

Anderson impurity model: Double occupancy contribution to the magnetic susceptibility

After solving the single Anderson impurity model (SIAM) within the non-crossing approximation with a finite Coulomb repulsion, U, and vertex corrections (NCAf²v), we focus on the magnetic susceptibility. Using the same diagrammatic expansion the susceptibility can be dressed with two factors, namely, the double state occupancy and the vertex corrections. In this work we analyse the effect of double occupancy on the dynamic and static susceptibility as a function of U and on the degeneracy of the total impurity angular moment, S.     

Force and torque on a sphere with electric dipole moment moving in a dielectric fluid in the presence of a uniform magnetic field

The torque exerted by a magnetic field on a sphere with permanent electric dipole moment moving steadily in a dielectric fluid is calculated to lowest order in the dipole moment. Hence the force exerted on a steadily rotating sphere with electric dipole moment is found by Onsager symmetry. The modification from the vacuum values of torque and force depends only on the slip parameter and the static dielectric constant of the fluid. It is suggested that for a macroscopic ferro electric sphere the calculated effects could be measured experimentally without great difficulty.     

Novel magnetic Fe onion-like fullerene micrometer-sized particles of narrow size distribution

Magnetic polydivinylbenzene (PDVB)/magnetite micrometer-sized particles of narrow size distribution were prepared by entrapping Fe(CO)₅ within the pores of uniform porous PDVB particles, followed by the thermal decomposition of the encapsulated Fe(CO)₅ at 300 °C in a sealed cell under inert atmosphere. Magnetic Fe onion-like fullerene micrometer-sized particles of narrow size distribution have been prepared by the thermal decomposition of the PDVB/magnetite magnetic microspheres at 1100 °C under inert atmosphere. The graphitic coating protects the elemental iron particles from oxidation and thereby preserves their very high magnetic moment for at least a year. Characterization of these unique magnetic carbon graphitic particles was also performed.     

On atomic analogue of Landau quantization

We have studied the physics of atoms with permanent electric dipole moment and nonvanishing magnetic moment interacting with an electric field and inhomogeneous magnetic field. This system can be demonstrated as the atomic analogue of Landau quantization of charged particles in a uniform magnetic field. This Landau-like atomic problem is also studied with space-space noncommutative coordinates.     

Intra-well relaxation process in magnetic fluids subjected to strong polarising fields

We report on the frequency and field dependent complex magnetic susceptibility measurements of a kerosene-based magnetic fluid with iron oxide nanoparticles, stabilized with oleic acid, in the frequency range 0.1-6 GHz and over the polarising field range of 0-168.4 kA/m.By increasing polarising field, H, a subsidiary loss-peak clearly occurs in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic resonance peak, from which it remains distinct even in strong polarising fields of 168.4 kA/m. This is in contrast to other reported cases in which the intra-well relaxation process is manifested only as a shoulder of the resonance peak, which vanishes in polarising fields larger than that of 100 kA/m.The results of the XRD analysis connected to the anisotropy field results confirm that the investigated sample contains particles of magnetite and of the tetragonal phase of maghemite.Taking into account the characteristics of our sample, the theoretical analysis revealed that the intra-well relaxation process of the small particles of the tetragonal phase of maghemite may be responsible for the subsidiary loss peak of the investigated magnetic fluid.     

Imaging magnetic responses of nanomagnets by XPEEM

The Spin-resolved Photoelectron Emission Microscope (SPEEM) is a permanently installed set-up at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). Due to its specific contrast it is mainly used for magnetic imaging and micro-spectroscopy with quantitative analysis. A crucial point in magnetic imaging is the application of magnetic fields. Many experiments require observation of magnetic responses or the preparation of a certain magnetic state during the measurement. We present a dedicated magnetic sample holder combining magnetic field during imaging with additional temperature control. This set-up enables SPEEM to measure magnetization curves of individual Fe nanocubes (18 nm)³ in size. If additionally alternating magnetic fields are applied we can image the local magnetic AC susceptibility (χ_AC) as a function of temperature. The latter is ideally suited to visualize local variations of the Curie temperature (T_C) in nano- and microstructures.     

钫原子磁偶极超精细结构常数及其同位素的磁偶极矩的理论计算

应用基于B样条基组的相对论耦合簇理论方法,计算了~(212)Fr原子的n S (n=7—12), n P (n=7—12)和n D (n=6—11)态的磁偶极超精细结构常数.与精确实验值的比较说明这套理论方法能精确计算出磁偶极超精细结构常数,其中7P态的磁偶极超精细常数的理论值与实验值之间的差异小于1%.在忽略场移效应对Fr原子7P态超精细结构常数的影响下,通过结合实验值进一步定出了~(207-213,220-228)Fr核磁偶极矩μ,这些值与已有的测量值具有非常好的一致性.本文报道了12S, n P (n=9—12)和n D (n=10—11)态的磁偶极超精细结构常数.     

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable magnetic carriers by single emulsion-solvent evaporation

This paper describes a single emulsion-solvent evaporation protocol to prepare PEGylated biodegradable/biocompatible magnetic carriers by utilizing hydrophobic magnetite and a mixture of poly(D,L lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(lactic acid-block-polyethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) (26:1 by mass) polymers. We characterized the magnetic microspheres in terms of morphology, composite microstructure, size and size distribution, and magnetic properties. Results show that the preparation produces magnetic microspheres with a good spherical morphology, small size (mean diameter of 1.2–1.5 μm) by means of large size distributions, and magnetizations up to 20–30 emu/g of microspheres.     

Magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of InAs nano-rings

In this work, we investigate theoretically the magnetic susceptibility of the three-dimensional cut-torus-shaped quantum rings. The calculations are carried out for the realistic three-dimensional model of InAs/GaAs nano-rings with the hard-wall confinement potential, three-dimensional effective one-electronic-band Hamiltonian with position and energy-dependent effective mass, and Ben Daniel–Duke boundary conditions. This allows us to describe the penetration of the magnetic field into the torus region. At zero temperature, the ring's differential susceptibility demonstrates delta-like paramagnetic peaks, which are generated by aperiodic oscillations of magnetization. With increasing temperature, the peaks gradually transform into Lorenz-shaped peaks and then disappear. As opposed to meso-scopic quantum rings we found a dependence of the peak's amplitude on the dimensions of the rings.