Magnetic phase transitions in nanoclusters and nanostructures

Theoretical models and experimental data on magnetic phase transitions in magnetic nanoclusters and nanostructures were reviewed. It was shown that nanoclusters measuring from several nanometers to several tens of nanometers possess a critical size (which can be likened to the critical Curie or Neel temperatures). At undercritical cluster sizes the magnetic order in cluster and cluster nanostructure vanishes by first-order magnetic phase transitions (abruptly). In this context, a change-over from the first- to second-order magnetic phase transition, a decrease or increase in the Neel and Curie temperatures, and critical nanocluster size calculations were accomplished for a number of nanoobjects. These include ferric oxides and hydroxides in matrix nanostructures comprised of isolated nanoclusters, as well as in nanostructures including strongly interacting or organized clusters and in nanostructures induced by shear stress under high pressure loading.     

Magnetic phase transitions in nanostructures induced by shear stress under high pressure

Magnetic phase transitions of the first and second order were revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy in nanosystems of - and -ferric oxides and metallic europium subjected to shear stress (240°) under high pressure (20 kbar). For - and -ferric oxide nanoclusters, the Curie (Neel) points decreased to 300 K, whereas for nanostructured europium the Neel point increased from 90 to 100 K. The thermodynamic model of magnetic phase transitions predicting a change in the character of magnetic phase transitions and a decrease (increase) in the critical Neel (Curie) points in nanoclusters was developed. The type of magnetic phase transitions and the change in the critical points were caused by defects in nanoclusters, whose maximum concentration was observed for the clusters with the 20—50 nm size range.     

Formation and properties of the nanocluster structure of iron oxides

Nanostructures based on iron oxide clusters 1–300 nm in size were synthesized and studied. Thermodynamic models of nanocluster nucleation resulting in the formation of both primary nanoclusters and nanocluster aggregates with the sizes up to 70–80 nm were considered. Models of heat capacity of the nanoclusters were examined, and the twofold increase in the heat capacity of the iron oxide clusters 2–3 nm in size compared to that of the bulk iron oxide samples was found. The size of the primary nanoclusters and the intercluster interaction make it possible to vary the magnetic properties of the nanostructures in a wide range from paramagnetic to magnetically ordered α-Fe₂O₃-γ-Fe₂O₃ nanostructures with the first-order magnetic phase transitions, magnetic twinning, and a strong magnetic field (10 Oe) effect on the magnetization increase at low temperatures. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1693–1704, October, 2006.     

Dilute magnetic semiconductor: Magnesium-doped Zn0.9Cd0.1GeAs2

Dilute magnetic semiconductors based on manganese-doped Zn_0.9Cd_0.1GeAs₂ solid solution with various doping levels were synthesized. Their Curie point in 5-T magnetic field was 349 K. Ferromagnetic ordering in these semiconductors was due to MnAs nanoclusters, whose sizes were 3.7–3.8 nm.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of silver nanocluster arrays on triblock copolymer templates

Poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) triblock copolymer templates which present in-plane cylinders of polystyrene (PS) aligned parallel to the plane of the substrate have been prepared by a solvent-induced order-disorder phase transition method. Silver nanoclusters have been obliquely deposited onto the SBS copolymer templates at low coverage, utilizing the directed low-energy cluster beam deposition (LECBD) method. The morphology of the samples has been characterized by a tapping-mode AFM. It is shown that the silver nanoclusters form ordered linear arrays and the intercluster distance within each individual linear array is comparable to the cluster size. Optical absorption spectra indicate that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the silver nanocluster linear arrays occurs at about 444.5 nm, manifesting a red shift of approximately 21.4 nm compared to the SPR absorption of silver nanoclusters deposited on a fused quartz substrate. This is attributed mainly to the near-field electrodynamic interactions between the silver nanoclusters. This hierarchical approach to create ordered nanostructures transcends the spatial limits of lithography and provides a promising route to achieve well-ordered cluster-based nanostructures.     

Dimensional Effects and Intercluster Interactions in Nanosystems

Magnetic, structural-dynamic, catalytic properties of nanocluster systems including both isolated and mutually interacting clusters of oxides of iron and other metals were studied. The influence of dimensional effects and intercluster interactions was discovered for nanosystems including metal oxides both with no carrier and in polymeric and carbon matrices. These effects were displayed in decrease in the critical temperature of magnetic phase and structural transitions, appearance of a critical cluster size for first-order magnetic phase transitions, change of the character of magnetic phase transitions, and change of atomic and cluster dynamics, as well as of adsorption and catalytic properties.     

Fission fragment damage of magnetic uranium compounds

Effects of fission (fragment) damage on the magnetic properties were investigated for some uranium compounds with NaCl-type crystal structure, such as uranium monocarbide (UC, paramagnetic) monophosphide (UP, antiferro) and monosulfide (US, ferro). The induced changes in the magnetic properties due to the fission damage were much pronounced in the magnetically ordered state. A shift of the magnetic transition point (either the Neel (T_N) and Curie (T_C) temperature) was observed, together with the changes of the magnetic parameters. In some cases, a new magnetically ordered phase was revealed by the fission damage even at room temperature irradiation.     

Synthesis and neel temperature determination of ferrites from the CuO−ZnO−Fe2O3 system

Conditions were established and individual and mixed ferrites with the general formula Cu_xZn_1?xFe₂O₄ (x=0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 1.0) were synthesized from the CuO?ZnO?Fe₂O₃ system. X-ray phase analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and microscopic examinations revealed that the obtained ferrites are monophase samples. A magnetic device was attached to the Q-Derivatograph (MOM, Hungary) and successfully used for sample investigation in a magnetic field, and in particular for Curie (Neel) temperature determination. The ferrite composition and the thermal treatment conditions were shown to correlate with the Neel temperature of the synthesized ferrites.     

Molecular simulation of gas hydrate nanoclusters in water shell: Structure and phase transitions

Gas hydrate nanoclusters surrounded by water shells are studied by the molecular dynamic method. Hydrates of methane (sI structures) and krypton (sII structures), as well an ice nanocluster in a supercooled water shell, are considered. The main attention was focused on studying the local structure and phase transitions. Variations in local partial densities with an increase in temperature are monitored. Melting points of nanosized samples of gas hydrates are determined using caloric curves. Additional information on the behavior of the considered systems is obtained from the temperature dependences of diffusion coefficients and the Lindemann criterion. Two-phase transitions are revealed for gas hydrate nanoclusters. The first phase transition at 210 K can be assigned to the melting of the ice shell. The second transition at 230–235 K is identified as the phase transition in the hydrate core. The melting of ice cluster is observed at 215 K, which corresponds to the melting point of bulk crystal upon the use of the SPC/E water model.     

Calculation of the brillouin frequencies close to phase transitions in NaNO2.

We calculate here the Brillouin frequencies of the L-mode [010], [001] and [100] of NaNO2 for the phase transitions from the paraelectric phase to the sinusoidal anti-ferroelectric phase near the Neel temperature (TN = 437.7 K) and to the ferroelectric phase near the critical temperature (TC = 436.3 K) in this crystalline system. For calculating the frequencies. we use the thermal expansivity data for the phase regions considered, under the assumption that the mode Gruneisen parameter determined for each mode remains constant across the phase transitions. Our calculated frequencies agree well with the observed frequencies for the modes studied in NaNO2.     

Characterization of superparamagnetic "core-shell" nanoparticles and monitoring their anisotropic phase transition to ferromagnetic "solid solution" nanoalloys

The structure, magnetism, and phase transition of core-shell type CoPt nanoparticles en route to solid solution alloy nanostructures are systematically investigated. The characterization of Co(core)Pt(shell) nanoparticles obtained by a "redox transmetalation" process by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, in particular, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides clear evidence for the existence of a core-shell type bimetallic interfacial structure. Nanoscale phase transitions of the Co(core)Pt(shell) structures toward c-axis compressed face-centered tetragonal (fct) solid solution alloy CoPt nanoparticles are monitored at various stages of a thermally induced annealing process and the obtained fct nanoalloys show a large enhancement of their magnetic properties with ferromagnetism. The relationship between the nanostructures and their magnetic properties is in part elucidated through the use of XAS as a critical analytical tool.     

Synthesis and neel temperature determination of ferrites from the MO−ZnO−Fe2O3 systems (M=Cu,Co and Ni)

The Curie (Neel) temperature is successfully determined by means of a simple magnetic device attached to the Q Derivatograph (MOM, Hungary), which is widely used in many laboratories. This possibility is demonstrated by a study of ferrite materials with general formula M_xZn_1?xFe₂O₄ (M=Cu, Co and Ni;x=0.0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0). X-ray phase analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and microscopic examinations revealed that the obtained ferrites are monophase samples. The mixed ferrites possess more strongly expressed magnetic properties than those of the individual ferrites; the maximum magnetic interaction in these ferrites is observed at different zinc contents.     

Many body effects on the phase separation and structure of dense polymer-particle melts

Liquid state theory is employed to study phase transitions and structure of dense mixtures of hard nanoparticles and flexible chains (polymer nanocomposites). Calculations are performed for the first time over the entire compositional range from the polymer melt to the hard sphere fluid. The focus is on polymers that adsorb on nanoparticles. Many body correlation effects are fully accounted for in the determination of the spinodal phase separation instabilities. The nanoparticle volume fraction at demixing is determined as a function of interfacial cohesion strength (or inverse temperature) for several interaction ranges and nanoparticle sizes. Both upper and lower critical temperature demixing transitions are predicted, separated by a miscibility window. The phase diagrams are highly asymmetric, with the entropic depletion-like lower critical temperature occurring at a nanoparticle volume fraction of approximately 10%, and a bridging-induced upper critical temperature at approximately 95% filler loading. The phase boundaries are sensitive to both the spatial range of interfacial cohesion and nanoparticle size. Nonmonotonic variations of the bridging (polymer-particle complex formation) demixing boundary on attraction range are predicted. Moreover, phase separation due to many body bridging effects occurs for systems that are fully stable at a second order virial level. Real and Fourier space pair correlations are examined over the entire volume fraction regime with an emphasis on identifying strong correlation effects. Special attention is paid to the structure near phase separation and the minimum in the potential of mean force as the demixing boundaries are approached. The possibility that nonequilibrium kinetic gelation or nanoparticle cluster formation preempts equilibrium phase separation is discussed.     

Effects of shape and size of cobalt ferrite nanostructures on their MRI contrast and thermal activation

Cobalt ferrite magnetic nanostructures were synthesized via a high temperature solution phase method. Spherical nanostructures of various sizes were synthesized with the help of seed mediated growth of the nanostructures in organic phase, while faceted irregular (FI) cobalt ferrite nanostructures were synthesized via the same method but in the presence of a magnetic field. Magnetic properties were characterized by SQUID magnetometry, relaxivity measurements and thermal activation under RF field, as a function of size and shape. The results show that the saturation magnetization of the nanostructures increases with an increase in size, and the FI nanostructures exhibit lower saturation magnetization than their spherical counterparts. The relaxivity coefficient of cobalt ferrite nanostructures increases with increase in size; while FI nanostructures show a higher relaxivity coefficient than spherical nanostructures with respect to their saturation magnetization. In the case of RF thermal activation, the specific absorption rate (SAR) of nanostructures increases with increase in the size. The contribution sheds light on the role of size and shape on important magnetic properties of the nanostructures in relation to their biomedical applications.     

On the potentiality of a cluster-beam source to produce free-standing one-dimensional and two-dimensional FeAg nanostructures: mechanisms underlying their shape genesis

Controlling the morphology and composition of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of matter is essential to design and create nanostructures with exceptional material properties, for applications ranging from nanoelectronics to nanomedicine. Within this latter, a great interest is placed on assembling magnetoplasmonic nanostructures to enable multimodal biosensing and bioimaging for early diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. To date, the synthesis of such complex nanostructures is mostly relying on wet chemistry and templates. Herein, we employed a templateless physical method to generate FeAg-based anisotropic nanostructures, using a modified cluster source. Under tuned experimental conditions, we demonstrated the successful magnetic-assisted assembly of Fe nanoclusters (Fe NCs), to form stable and permanent branched Fe nanorods (Fe NRs), core@shell Fe@Ag-NRs, Fe nanosheets (Fe NSs), and Fe/Ag-NSs. This assembly is driven by the need to reduce their magnetic interaction energy on one hand and their overall surface energy on the other hand. When NCs and NRs are magnetically brought into intimate contact, they undergo a coalescence process, through the interfacial diffusion of the surface atoms, resulting in the formation of 1D and 2D nanostructures. For Fe@Ag NRs, the advantage conferred by the Ag shell is to protect Fe NRs from oxidation and prevent them from aggregation at the same time. The observed contrast reversal in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of Fe NRs and Fe NSs is discussed.     

DNA-templated Ag nanocluster formation

The high affinity of Ag+ for DNA bases has enabled creation of short oligonucleotide-encapsulated Ag nanoclusters without formation of large nanoparticles. Time-dependent formation of cluster sizes ranging from Ag1 to Ag4/oligonucleotide were observed with strong, characteristic electronic transitions between 400 and 600 nm. The slow nanocluster formation kinetics enables observation of specific aqueous nanocluster absorptions that evolve over a period of 12 h. Induced circular dichroism bands confirm that the nanoclusters are associated with the chiral ss-DNA template. Fluorescence, absorption, mass, and NMR spectra all indicate that multiple species are present, but that their creation is both nucleotide- and time-dependent.     

Blue Luminescence of Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Gold Nanoclusters

Direct evidence for the blue luminescence of gold nanoclusters encapsulated inside hydroxyl‐terminated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers was provided by spectroscopic studies as well as by theoretical calculations. Steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic studies showed that the luminescence of the gold nanoclusters consisted largely of two electronic transitions. Theoretical calculations indicate that the two transitions are attributed to the different sizes of the gold nanoclusters (Au₈ and Au₁₃). The luminescence of the gold nanoclusters was clearly distinguished from that of the dendrimers.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of Cd3As2 + MnAs composite

A new ferromagnetic material based on a Cd₃As₂ + MnAs composite with the Curie point of 320 K has been prepared. Magnetic and electrical properties of the composite have been found to be determined by manganese arsenide nanoclusters. The composite has metallic conduction. Its resistance decreases with increasing magnetic field both at low and room temperatures, indicating spin-dependent scattering mechanisms and exchange interactions between magnetic nanoclusters in the composite.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of metal nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters have physical properties differing significantly from their bulk counterparts. Metallic properties such as delocalization of electrons in bulk metals which imbue them with high electrical and thermal conductivity, light reflectivity and mechanical ductility may be wholly or partially absent in metal nanoclusters, while new properties develop. We review modern synthetic methods used to form metal nanoclusters. The focus of this critical review is solution based chemical synthesis methods which produce fully dispersed clusters. Control of cluster size and surface chemistry using inverse micelles is emphasized. Two classes of metals are discussed, transition metals such as Au and Pt, and base metals such as Co, Fe and Ni. The optical and catalytic properties of the former are discussed and the magnetic properties of the latter are given as examples of unexpected new size-dependent properties of nanoclusters. We show how classical surface science methods of characterization augmented by chemical analysis methods such as liquid chromatography can be used to provide feedback for improvements in synthetic protocols. Characterization of metal clusters by their optical, catalytic, or magnetic behavior also provides insights leading to improvements in synthetic methods. The collective physical properties of closely interacting clusters are reviewed followed by speculation on future technical applications of clusters. (125 references).     

Temperature-modulated nanostructures of ytterbium-doped Cobalt Selenide (Yb-CoSe) for photovoltaic applications

This research investigated the influence of temperature variation on the properties of ytterbium-doped cobalt Selenide (Yb-CoSe) nanostructures synthesized via the electrodeposition technique. The structural, optical, morphological, and elemental features of the synthesized films were investigated through X-ray diffractometry (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) respectively. XRD results showed prominent peaks with a cubic phase. Good absorbance values in the visible region and reduced band gap energies upon the introduction of ytterbium were obtained from the optical analysis. Morphological results gave nanoclusters of varying sizes spread throughout the substrate surface. The elemental constituents of the deposited films were evident from the EDX spectra. The synthesized films have significant potential to be used in solar cells and optical devices.