Stability Investigation of Colloidal FePt Nanoparticle Systems by Spectrophotometer Analysis

FePt magnetic nanoparticle systems are an excellent candidate for ultrahigh-density magnetic recording. Monodisperse FePt nanoparticles are synthesized by superhydride reduction of FECl2·4H2O and Pt （acac）2 at 263℃ under N2 atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） images show monosize EePt nanoparticles with diameter of 4 nm and a standard deviation of about 10%. The average distance between monodispesre particles is nearly 3 nm, and oleic acid and oleylamine surround the nanoparticles as surfactants. Stability investigation of nanoparticle colloidal solution is done via speetrophotometery analysis. The results for FePt nanoparticles dispersed in hexane indicate that adding surfactants with concentration of 3 × 10^-3 part by volume for centrifugation stage increases the stability of FePt nanoparticles solution with concentration of 16 mg/mL, about 67%.     

Fabrication of L10 FePtAg nanoparticles and a study of the effect of Ag during the annealing process

L1₀ ferromagnetic phase FePt nanoparticles containing Ag atoms (FePtAg) were synthesized by means of a liquid phase process, followed by annealing. The addition of Ag to FePt nanoparticles permits annealing to be conducted at a lower temperature (350 °C). This is further accompanied by a subsequent transformation in the crystal phase from the FCC superparamagnetic phase to the FCT (L1₀) ferromagnetic phase. The effects of annealing temperature and the Ag atoms inside the nanoparticles on the magnetic properties of the FePt nanoparticles have been studied. Using electron spectroscopy for the chemical analysis (ESCA), Ag atoms in the L1₀ phase FePtAg nanoparticles were found to be localized on the surface region of the annealed nanoparticles. The Ag atoms function to inhibit the oxidation of FePt, causing the particles to become more stable and to have ferromagnetic properties.     

Monolayer deposition of L10 FePt nanoparticles via electrospray route

The deposition monolayers of L1₀ FePt nanoparticles via an electrospraying method and the magnetic properties of the deposited film were studied. FePt nanoparticles in a size of around 2.5 nm in diameter, prepared by a liquid process, were used as a precursor. The size of the deposited particles can be controlled up to 35 nm by controlling the sprayed droplet size that is formed by adjusting the precursor concentration and the precursor flow rate. The droplets were heated in a tubular furnace at a temperature of up to 900 °C to remove all organic compounds and to transform the FePt particles from disordered face centered cubic to an ordered FCT phase. Finally, the particles were deposited in the form of a monolayer film on a silicon substrate by electrostatic force and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The monolayer of particles was obtained by the high charge on particles obtained during the electrospraying process. The magnetic properties of the monolayer were investigated by magneto-optic Kerr effect measurements. Coercivity up to 650 Oe for a film consisting of 35 nm L1₀ FePt nanoparticles was observed after heat treatment at a temperature of 800 °C.     

Thermal treatment effects in the self-assembly of FePt nanoparticle arrays

This work concentrates on the influence of synthetic mechanisms of FePt nanoparticles on their self-arrangement and some structural and magnetic properties as studied by means of different electron microscopy techniques and SQUID magnetometry. High-reflux points associated with long boiling durations seem adequate to increase the iron precursor's decomposition yield and facilitate the simultaneous cubic to tetragonal FePt transformation, in single-phase FePt nanoparticles. Nevertheless, such conditions also result in the loss of long-range arrangement and in the appearance of coalescence effects. A core–shell structure comprising of FePt and Fe₃O₄ is favored under mild thermal conditions during synthesis, which seems to confront the undesirable atomic diffusion. Additionally, particle isolation due to the surfactant coating leads in an hcp-symmetry self-assembly. Moreover, working at lower temperatures allows a homogeneous mixture between different phases producing binary composite arrays.     

Fabrication of magnetic composite nanofibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) with FePt nanoparticles by coaxial electrospinning

In this article, composite nanofibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with iron–platinum (FePt) nanoparticles were successfully fabricated via coaxial electrospinning. The structure and morphology of FePt/PCL composite nanofibers were observed using transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The magnetic behavior of FePt/PCL composite nanofibers was investigated by alternating gradient magnetometer at room temperature.     

Coercivity Ageing Effect on FePt Nanoparticles in Mesoporous Silica via Stepwise Synthesis Strategy

FePt nanoparticles in mesoporous silica are fabricated by a simple stepwise synthesis strategy.A pre-annealing temperature-dependent coercivity-ageing effect in FePt nanoparticles is observed at room temperature.For facecentered cubic(fcc)structured FePt nanoparticles,the ageing effect is sensitive to the pre-annealing temperature,especially when the temperature is close to the phase-transition.The special magnetic behavior of FePt nanoparticles reveals that the physical properties gradually change between fee and face-centered tetragonal structures,and will deepen our understanding of the mechanism of such magnetism in FePt nanoparticles.     

Fabrication and surface transformation of FePt nanoparticle monolayer

The monolayer of FePt nanoparticles with the mean size of ∼4 nm was fabricated on a glass substrate by the Langmuir––Blodgett (LB) technology. The monolayer of FePt nanoparticles has a smooth surface and a high density structure as shown by the AFM image. The array structure of FePt nanoparticles on the surface of the film is clearly with a cubic symmetry in appropriate condition. Small-angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD) measurement of multilayer structure for the FePt nanoparticles has indicated that the superlattices consist of well-defined smooth layers. The transfer of nanoparticle layers onto a solid substrate surface was quite efficient for the first few layers, exhibiting a proportional increase of optical absorption in the UV–vis range. This results potentially opens up a new approach to the long-range ordered array of FePt nanoparticles capped by organic molecules on substrate and provide a promising thin film, which may exhibit the excellent ultra-high density magnetic recording properties.     

Magnetic and structural characterizations on nanoparticles of FePt,FeRh and their composites

The various compositions of FePt and FeRh nanoparticles, and their composite particles have been fabricated by the solution-phase chemical method and their magnetic properties characterized. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic observations indicate that mono-dispersed FeRh and FePt/FeRh nanoparticles are fabricated with the average size of 3–5 nm. However, larger size particles are distributed in the annealed state. From X-ray diffraction results, the as-deposited FeRh nanoparticles reveal a chemically disordered fcc structure which can be transformed into CsCl-type structure through thermal annealing. Similarly, the annealed FePt nanoparticles show the L1₀-phase fct structure although the fcc structure is apparent in the as-deposited state. It is also found that the first time in the exchange bias effect in the composite of ferromagnetic (FePt) and anti-ferromagnetic (FeRh) nanoparticles; result in a shift of the hysteresis loop after field cooling process.     

Superparamagnetic FePt nanoparticles as excellent MRI contrast agents

Chemically disordered face-centered cubic (fcc) FePt nanoparticles (NPs) with a mean diameter of 9 nm were synthesized via pyrolysis of iron(III) ethoxide and platinum(II) acetylacetonate. The surface ligands of these NPs were then exchanged from oleic acid to tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) to measure the longitudinal (T₁) and transverse (T₂) proton relaxation times of aqueous dispersion of FePt NPs. Magnetic resonance relaxometry reveals that TMAOH-capped FePt NPs have a higher T₂-shortening effect than conventional superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs, indicating that fcc-phase FePt NPs might be superior negative contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.     

Control of crystallographic orientation in L10 FePt films by using Cr and CrW underlayers

The microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films grown on Cr and CrW underlayers were investigated. The FePt films that deposited on Cr underlayer show (2 0 0) orientation and low coercivity because of the diffusion between FePt and Cr underlayer. The misfit between FePt magnetic layer and underlayer increases by small addition of W element in Cr underlayer or using a thin Mo intermediate layer, which is favorable for the formation of (0 0 1) orientation and the transformation of FePt from fcc to fct phase. A good FePt (0 0 1) texture was obtained in the films with Cr₈₅W₁₅ underlayer with substrate temperature of 400 °C. The FePt films deposited on Mo/Cr underlayer exhibit larger coercivity than that of the films grown on Pt/Cr₈₅W₁₅ because 5 nm Mo intermediate layer depressed the diffusion of Cr into magnetic layer.     

Oxygen-mediated suppression of twinning in gas-phase prepared FePt nanoparticles

We report on the influence of oxygen on the morphology and crystal structure of gas-phase prepared FePt nanoparticles. The particles are prepared by DC-sputtering in an Ar/He gas mixture. Without any oxygen, the obtained particles are predominantly icosahedra. The additional supply of oxygen leads to significant changes in both the crystal structure and morphology of the FePt nanoparticles. With increasing oxygen concentration, we observe the onset of particle agglomeration and a drop of the particle size. In addition, the crystal structure changes from icosahedral to fcc. These results are ascribed to oxygen mediated changes of the surface properties of the FePt nanoparticles such as the surface diffusivity and the surface free energy.     

Langmuir-Blodgett self-assembly and electrochemical catalytic property of FePt magnetic nano-monolayer

Dispersed-well FePt nanoparticles with particle size ~5 nm have been prepared by hydrazine hydrate reduction of H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O and FeCl₂·4H₂O in ethanol–water system. By employing as-synthesized FePt nanoparticles, the monolayer can be formed by LB Technique. The structural, magnetic properties and electrochemical properties of FePt monolayer were respectively studied by XRD, TEM, VSM and CHI 820 electrochemical workstation. The as-synthesized particle has a chemically disordered fcc structure and can be transformed into chemically ordered fct structure after annealing treatment above 400°C. The coercivity of ordered fct FePt phase can be up to 2515Oe. CVs of 0.5 M H₂SO₄/0.5M CH₃OH on GCE modified with FePt nanoparticles monolayer films illustrate that the as-synthesized FePt is a kind of active electrochemical catalyst.     

Magnetic Properties and Nanostructures of FePtCu：C Thin Films with FePt Underlayers

Magnetic properties and nanostructures of FePtCu：C thin films with FePt underlayers （ULs） are studied. The effect of FePt ULs on the orlentation and magnetic properties of the thin films are investigated by adjusting FePt UL thicknesses from 2nm to 14nm. X-ray diffraction （XRD） scans reveal that the orientation of the films is dependent on FePt UL thickness. For a 5-nm FePtCu：C nanocomposite thin film with a 2-nm FePt UL, the coercivity is 6.S KOe, the correlation length is 59 nm, the desired face-centred-tetragonal （fct） ordered structure [Llo phase] is formed and the c axis normal to the film plane [（001） texture] is obtained. These results indicate that the beffer orientation and magnetic properties of the films can be tuned by decreasing the thockness of the FePt UL.     

High-density attachment of FePt nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes by a facile microwave-assisted polyol method

High-density attachment and one-dimensional (1D) array of FePt nanoparticles (NPs) along carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surface to generate FePt/CNT nanocomposites were successfully obtained via a facile CNT-mediated microwave polyol method. The as-prepared 1D FePt/CNTs is about 10–20 nm in diameter and up to μm scale in length. By adjusting the solvents, the ratio of Fe/Pt and the attached density of FePt NPs on the surface of CNTs could be well controlled. The structures, composition, and magnetic properties of the FePt/CNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and magnetic measurements. The possible growth mechanism has also been proposed.     

Structure and magnetism of near-stoichiometric FePd nanoparticles

We investigate from first principles the energetic order of single crystalline L1₀-ordered and multiply twinned morphologies of FePd nanoparticles close to the stoichiometric composition considering up to 561 atoms. The results are related to previous analogous calculations of FePt and CoPt nanoparticles. We find that compared to the isoelectronic FePt alloy, multiply twinned structures are slightly favored in energy, while the latent tendencies to form a layered antiferromagnetic structure in the L1₀ phase are less pronounced.     

Assembly of high-anisotropy L10 FePt nanocomposite films

In this paper we report results on the synthesis and magnetic properties of L1₀ FePt nanocomposite films. Three fabrication methods have been developed to produce high-anisptropy FePt films: non-epitaxial growth of (0 0 1)-oriented FePt:X (X=Ag, C) composite films that might be used for perpendicular media; monodispersed FePt(CF_x) core–shell nanocluster-assembled films grown with a gas-aggregation technique and having uniform cluster size and narrow size distribution; and template-mediated self-assembled FePt clusters prepared with chemical synthesis by a hydrogen reduction technique, which has a high potential for controlling both cluster size and orientation. The magnetic properties are controllable through variations in the nanocluster properties and nanostructure. Analytical and numerical simulations have been done for these films, providing better understanding of the magnetization reversal mechanisms. The films show promise for development as magnetic recording media at extremely high areal densities.     

Synthesis and assembly of magnetic nanoparticles for information and energy storage applications

This mini-review summarizes the recent advances in chemical synthesis and assembly of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic applications. After a brief introduction to nanomagnetism, the review focuses on recent developments in solution phase syntheses and assemblies of monodisperse Fe, CoFe, FePt and SmCo₅ nanoparticles. The review further outlines the structural and magnetic properties of these nanoparticles for magnetic information and energy storage applications.     

Electronic states of self stabilized L10 FePt alloy nanoparticles

The ligand capped bimetallic FePt alloys were prepared by using the chemical coreduction method in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study on the as prepared and annealed samples reveals the degradation of hydrocarbon capping with annealing temperature along with a phase transformation to a L1₀ phase. This degradation of organic capping results in formation of capping layer over FePt which has been observed using High Resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This capping layer over the FePt nanoparticles was further investigated with Raman studies confirming the presence of the graphitic carbon. The presence of the graphitic layer enhances the stability of FePt nanoparticles by protecting the surface against oxidation. This was confirmed by the magnetic measurements which show a high coercivity of 11.8 kOe, retained over a period of one year.     

Prussian blue modified FePt nanoparticles for the electrochemical reduction of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

FePt nanoparticles were synthesized by polyol process with chloride salts, and the equiatomic composition was surface modified with prussian blue (PB). From the magnetic studies, the fraction of PB present in the surface-modified fcc-FePt was found to be 18 %. The FePt nanoparticles with an average particle size of 5 nm forms cluster like morphology, which were embedded in the PB matrix. The electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by the PB-modified FePt nanoparticles was studied. The reduction peak current showed linear response for H₂O₂ in the concentration range up to 3.5 mM. The FePt nanoparticles did not exhibit significant H₂O₂ reduction whereas the PB-modified FePt showed reduction of H₂O₂ with the addition of 0.35 mM of H₂O₂.     

Effects of Cr underlayer and Pt buffer layer on the interfacial structure and magnetic characteristics of sputtered FePt films

This work develops a new method for growing L1₀ FePt(0 0 1) thin film on a Pt/Cr bilayer using an amorphous glass substrate. Semi-coherent epitaxial growth was initiated from the Cr(0 0 2) underlayer, continued through the Pt(0 0 1) buffer layer, and extended into the L1₀ FePt(0 0 1) magnetic layer. The squareness of the L1₀ FePt film in the presence of both a Cr underlayer and a Pt buffer layer was close to unity as the magnetic field was applied perpendicular to the film plane. The single L1₀ FePt(1 1 1) orientation was observed in the absence of a Cr underlayer. When a Cr underlayer is inserted, the preferred orientation switched from L1₀ FePt(1 1 1) to L1₀ FePt(0 0 1) and the magnetic film exhibited perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. However, in the absence of an Pt intermediate layer, the Cr atoms diffused directly into the FePt magnetic layer and prevented the formation of the L1₀ FePt(0 0 1) preferred orientation. When a Pt buffer layer was introduced between the FePt and Cr underlayer, the L1₀ FePt(0 0 1) peak appeared. The thickness of the Pt buffer layer also substantially affected the magnetic properties and atomic arrangement at the FePt/Pt and Pt/Cr interfaces.