Properties of three-dimensional composites based on opal matrices and magnetic nanoparticles

Three-dimensional nanocomposites consisting of an opal matrix and a metal have been prepared by the interaction of salts and oxides of different elements (Ni, Co, Fe, etc.) embedded in an opal matrix with isopropanol in the range of supercritical state parameters of the alcohol. According to X-ray powder diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy data, the composites consist of an X-ray amorphous opal matrix with pores filled by nanoparticles of Co (or CoO _x ), metallic Ni, or Fe₃O₄ with a magnetite structure of various morphology. The sizes of the nanoparticles do not exceed the diameter of the pores in the opal matrix. A complex investigation of the nanocomposites has been performed using the electron magnetic resonance and vibrating magnetometry methods. All the studied samples at room temperature exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior. The coercive force of the samples lies in the range from 150 Oe for iron-containing nanocomposites to 565 Oe for cobalt-containing nanocomposites.