Magnetic properties of nano-crystalline Gd- or Pr-substituted CoFe2O4 synthesized by the citrate precursor technique

The magnetic properties of nano-crystalline CoM_xFe_2−xO₄ (where M=Gd and Pr and x=0, 0.1 and 0.2) powders prepared by a citrate precursor technique have been studied by using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The crystallite sizes of the materials were varied by altering the synthetic conditions and are within the range of a minimum of 6.8 nm and a maximum of 87.5 nm. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TG) measurements. TG study indicates the formation of the spinel ferrite phase at 220°C. The phase identification of the materials by XRD reveals the single-phase nature of the materials. The room temperature saturation magnetization of the ferrite materials decreases with the reduction of size. This has been attributed to the presence of superparamagnetic fractions in the materials and spin canting at the surface of nano-particles. Insertion of rare-earth atoms in the crystal lattice inhibits the grain growth of the materials in a systematic manner compared with that of the pure cobalt ferrite materials. The improved coercivity compared with those for the pure cobalt ferrites is attributed to the contribution from the single ion anisotropy of the rare-earth ions present in the crystal lattice and the surface effects resulting in alteration of magnetic structures on the surface of nano-particles.     

Magnetoresistive properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in a Cu matrix

We studied ordered arrays of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in a nonmagnetic matrix. The influence of annealing temperature and measurement geometry (varying angle between sample surface and external magnetic field direction) on magnetoresistance and coercive field values was established. Measurements were done on the Au(2 nm)/Cu(20 nm)/Fe₃O₄(NPs)/SiO₂/Si system.     

Tuneable magnetic properties of hydrothermally synthesised core/shell CoFe2O4/NiFe2O4 and NiFe2O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to prepare a novel targeting nano drug delivery system of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) based on the folic acid-modified bovine serum albumin, in order to improve the clinical application disadvantages and antitumor effect of 2-ME. In this study, 2-methoxyestradiol-loaded albumin nanoparticles (2-ME-BSANPs) were prepared by desolvation method, and then the activated folic acid was conjugated to 2-ME-BSANPs by covalent attachment (2-ME-FA-BSANPs). The size and zeta potential of 2-ME-FA-BSANPs were about 208.8 ± 5.1 nm and ?32.70 ± 1.01 mV, respectively. 2-ME loading efficiency and loading amount of the nanoparticles were 80.49 ± 3.80 and 10.25 ± 1.59 %, respectively. SEM images indicated that 2-ME-FA-BSANPs were of a round shape, similar uniform size, and smooth surface. Studies on drug release indicated that 2-ME-FA-BSANPs had the properties of sustained and controlled release, which provided them with the ability to fight continually against cancer cells. Internalization analysis demonstrated that 2-ME-FA-BSANPs-targeting drug delivery system could get efficiently transferred into the cells through the folic acid-mediated endocytosis, leading to higher apoptosis and affording higher antitumor efficacy against SMMC-7721 cells in vitro compared with 2-ME alone. Furthermore, the cell-cycle arrest of 2-ME-FA-BSANPs on the SMMC-7721 cells occurred at G2/M phase, and 2-ME-FA-BSANPs did not change the inhibition of the tumor mechanisms of 2-ME. Based on these results, it was concluded that albumin nanoparticles could be the promising nano carrier for 2-ME, and 2-ME-FA-BSANPs-targeting drug delivery system may be promising candidate for providing high treatment efficacy with minimal side effects in future cancer therapy.     

Cationic distribution and spin canting in CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

CoFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles (D(NPD) ~6 nm), prepared by a thermal decomposition technique, have been investigated through the combined use of dc magnetization measurements, neutron diffraction, and (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectrometry under high applied magnetic field. Despite the small particle size, the value of saturation magnetization at 300 K (M(s) ?= 70 A m(2) kg(-1)) and at 5 K (M(s) ?= 100 A m(2) kg(-1)) are rather close to the bulk values, making the samples prepared with this method attractive for biomedical applications. Neutron diffraction measurements indicate the typical ferrimagnetic structure of the ferrites, showing an inversion degree (γ(NPD) = 0.74) that is in very good agreement with cationic distribution established from low temperature (10 K) M?ssbauer measurements in high magnetic field (γ(moss) = 0.76). In addition, the in-field M?ssbauer spectrum shows the presence of a non-collinear spin structure in both A and B sublattices. The results allow us to explain the high value of saturation magnetization and provide a better insight into the complex interplay between cationic distribution and magnetic disorder in ferrimagnetic nanoparticles.     

Growth and characterization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in silica matrix

Nano-magnetic Fe₃O₄ particles coated with silica are synthesized. The study of structural and magnetic properties was carried out using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The VSM results show that these kinds of composite particles exhibit superparamagnetic behavior with zero coercivity and remanence. The magnetic spheroid alumina carriers containing these magnetic composite particles were prepared by an internal gelation process. The SiO₂ coatings prevent the reaction between Fe₃O₄ and Al₂O₃ during the sintering process and maintain the superparamagnetic behavior of the catalyst carriers.     

Size-dependent magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared in polyol

Highly crystalline CoFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles with different diameters ranging from 2.4 to 6.1 nm have been synthesized by forced hydrolysis in polyol. The size can be controlled through adjusting the nominal water/metal molar ratio. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectrometry were employed to investigate the structure and the microstructure of the particles produced. Magnetic measurements performed on these particles show that they are superparamagnetic with a size-dependent blocking temperature. At 5 K, high saturation magnetization (~85 emu g(-1)) approaching that of the bulk was found for the larger particles, whereas a very large coercivity (14.5 kOe) is observed for the 3.5 nm sized particles.     

CoFe2O4和MnFe2O4纳米复合介质的制备及其磁性研究

采用热分解法制备了分散程度高且平均晶粒尺寸为20 nm的CoFe₂O₄和MnFe₂O₄复合介质.低温磁化曲线测量显示,制备的复合介质具有软-硬磁交换弹性耦合效应,且合成温度以及软磁和硬磁相的成分比例对磁交换弹性耦合的强度有很大的影响.变温磁测量显示,温度为20K时,复合纳米介质的表面自旋冻结效应导致饱和磁化强度显著增加.Henkel测量显示,对分散的CoFe₂O₄和MnFe₂O₄复合介质,磁偶极相互作用占主导作用.     

Synthesis and stabilization of ZnS nanoparticles embedded in silica nanospheres

The silica-coated ZnS nanocomposites have been synthesized by a seeded-growth procedure in iso-propanol. The results of XRD, HRTEM and UV absorption show that the ZnS nanoparticles can be incorporated in the silica nanospheres without changing the particle size, and the composites are of multi-core structure. UV absorption and emission spectra have been performed to check the character of the composites, which show that the silica shell not only increases the PL intensity, but also greatly improves the anti-oxidation ability and thermal stability. PACS 81.05.Dz; 81.16.Be; 81.65.Rv; 78.55.Et; 78.66.Hf     

CoFe2O4纳米颗粒的结构、磁性以及离子迁移

聚乙烯醇(PVA)溶胶凝胶法制备出CoFe2O4纳米微粉,用X 射线衍射研究了铁氧体纳米颗粒的结构.测量了CoFe2O4纳米颗粒80-873 K的变温穆斯堡尔谱,发现纳米颗粒的磁转变温度范围为793-813 K,比块体材料的磁性转变温度要低.CoFe2O4纳米颗粒的德拜温度θA=674 K,θB=243 K,比块体材料要小.CoFe2O4纳米颗粒超精细场Hf随温度的变化符合T3/2+T5/2定理.当温度较高时,平均同质异能移IS随温度的升高而减小,并呈线性关系.     

Studies on CdS nanoparticles dispersed in silica matrix prepared by sol-gel technique

SiO₂/CdS-nanoparticle composite films (SiO₂:CdS=85:15, 80:20, 75:25 and 70:30) were prepared by the sol-gel route. The films were characterized by studying microstructural (XRD and TEM) and optical (transmittance and photoluminescence) properties. Band gaps of these films annealed at different temperatures (373-473 K) for different times (10-120 min) indicated that the signature of nanocrystallinity is retained throughout the range of our experimental conditions. A thermal diffusion process controlled growth in the crystallite size with increasing annealing time and temperature. The average radii of the nanoparticles varied as the cube root of the annealing time but showed exponential dependence on the inverse of annealing temperature. Photoluminescence (PL) studies of the composite films indicated excitonic transitions. Theoretical analysis of the line shapes of the PL peaks recorded at 300 K and 80 K could be accounted for by the combined effects of size distribution and phonon broadening. It was observed that the deformation potential (E _d) effectively controlled the line shapes of the PL measurements. Received 24 May 2002 Published online 27 January 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: msakp@mahendra.iacs.res.in     

Non-equilibrium cation distribution and enhanced spin disorder in hollow CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

We present magnetic properties of hollow and solid CoFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles that were obtained by annealing of Co(33)Fe(67)/CoFe(2)O(4) (core/shell) nanoparticles. Hollow nanoparticles were polycrystalline whereas the solid nanoparticles were mostly single crystal. Electronic structure studies were performed by photoemission which revealed that particles with hollow morphology have a higher degree of inversion compared to solid nanoparticles and the bulk counterpart. Electronic structure and the magnetic measurements show that particles have uncompensated spins. Quantitative comparison of saturation magnetization (M(S )), assuming bulk Néel type spin structure with cationic distribution, calculated from quantitative XPS analysis, is presented. The thickness of uncompensated spins is calculated to be significantly large for particles with hollow morphology compared to solid nanoparticles. Both morphologies show a lack of saturation up to 7 T. Moreover magnetic irreversibility exists up to 7 T of cooling fields for the entire temperature range (10-300 K). These effects are due to the large bulk anisotropy constant of CoFe(2)O(4) which is the highest among the cubic spinel ferrites. The effect of the uncompensated spins for hollow nanoparticles was investigated by cooling the sample in large fields of up to 9 T. The magnitude of horizontal shift resulting from the unidirectional anisotropy was more than three times larger than that of solid nanoparticles. As an indication signature of uncompensated spin structure, 11% vertical shift for hollow nanoparticles is observed, whereas solid nanoparticles do not show a similar shift. Deconvolution of the hysteresis response recorded at 300 K reveals the presence of a significant paramagnetic component for particles with hollow morphology which further confirms enhanced spin disorder.     

Synthesis and characterization of sol-gel derived Mn2+ doped In2S3 nanocrystallites embedded in a silica matrix

Mn²⁺ doped In₂S₃–SiO₂ nanocomposite thin films were synthesized by sol-gel technique. The films were annealed in air at different temperatures (473–623 K) and characterized by optical, microstructural and electron spin resonance (ESR) study. Optical transmittance study revealed the manifestation of quantum size effect while ESR indicated the presence of manganese in indium sulphide as dispersed dopant rather than manganese cluster.     

Tunable magnetic anisotropy of CoFe2O4 nanopillar arrays released from BiFeO3 matrix

We deposited epitaxial BiFeO₃–CoFe₂O₄ (BFO–CFO) self‐assembled thin films on (001) SrTiO₃ (STO) substrates. We find that a combined annealing and etching process could remove the BFO matrix, thereby resulting in free‐standing CFO nanopillar arrays. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies showed well separated CFO nanopillars, which were very similar to the original CFO ones in the self‐assembled structure. Finally, comparison of the magnetic hysteresis loops before and after removal of the BFO matrix showed a significant decrease of the coercive field and a dramatic decrease in the strain dominated magnetic anisotropy. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Low temperature measurements by infrared spectroscopy in CoFe2O4 ceramic

This paper presents results of new far-infrared and middle-infrared measurements (wavenumber range of 4000?C100 cm^?1) of the CoFe₂O₄ ceramic in the temperature range from 300 K to 8 K. The band positions and their shapes remain constant across the wide temperature range. The quality of the sample was investigated by X-ray, EDS and EPMA studies. The CoFe₂O₄ retains the cubic structure (Fd - 3m) across the temperature range from 85 K to 360 K without any traces of distortion. Based on current knowledge the polycrystalline CoFe₂O₄ does not exhibit any phase transitions across the temperature range from 8 K to 300 K.     

Photoluminescence of CdS nanoparticles embedded in a starch matrix

CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation in aqueous solution using starch as the capping molecule, and the effect of the pH of the solution on the optical absorption, photoluminescence, and size of the nanoparticles was studied. Absorption spectra, obtained by photoacoustic spectroscopy, indicated that the band gap energy of the crystalline nanoparticles decreased from 2.68 eV down to 2.48 eV by increasing the pH of the solution from 9 up to 14. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the CdS nanoparticles were of zinc blende structure, and that the particle size increased from 1.35 nm up to 2.45 nm with increasing pH. In addition, temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements of the capped material showed a blue-shift of the emission peak for temperatures higher than 150 K, indicating the influence of starch on the formation of defect levels on the surface of the CdS nanoparticles.     

Synthesis of Cu-modified Co2Z hexaferrite with planar structure by a citrate precursor method

Co₂Z hexaferrite is a planar anisotropic iron oxide which can present high values of permeability at high frequency. In this paper, Cu-modified Co₂Z hexaferrites powders were synthesized at a low temperature using a citrate precursor method. The formation of Z-type phases was characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. It is found that phase formation temperature and sintering temperature were influenced directly by the content of copper. The effects of Cu-substitution on the microstructure and high frequency properties of the ceramics have been investigated.     

Investigation of nanocrystalline CoFe 2 O 4 by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite prepared by the co-precipitation method with crystallite size varying from 4.7 to 41 nm have been characterized by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Three lifetime components are fitted to the lifetime data. The shortest lifetime component is attributed to the delocalized positron lifetime shortened by defect trapping. The intermediate lifetime is assigned to the positron annihilation in diffuse vacancy clusters or microvoids at the grain boundaries and at the grain-boundary triple points. The longest component corresponds to the pick-off annihilation of ortho-positronium formed at the larger voids. The variations in these lifetimes and their relative intensities with annealing temperature and crystallite size have been studied in detail.     

Visible luminescence of Al2O3 nanoparticles embedded in silica glass host matrix

This paper deals with the sol-gel elaboration and defects photoluminescence (PL) examination of Al₂O₃ nanocrystallites (size ∼30 nm) confined in glass based on silica aerogel. Aluminium oxide aerogels were synthesized using esterification reaction for hydrolysis of the precursor and supercritical conditions of ethyl alcohol for drying. The obtained nanopowder was incorporated in SiO₂ host matrix. After heating under natural atmosphere at 1150 °C for 2 h, the composite Al₂O₃/SiO₂ (AS) exhibited a strong PL bands at 400-600 and 700-900 nm in 78-300 K temperature range. PL excitation (PLE) measurements show different origins of the emission. It was suggested that OH-related radiative centres and non-bridging oxygen hole centres (NBOHCs) were responsible for the bands at 400-600 and 700-900 nm, respectively.