Origin of reduced magnetization and domain formation in small magnetite nanoparticles

Zlatko Nedelkoski, Demie Kepaptsoglou, Leonardo Lari, Tianlong Wen, Ryan A. Booth, Samuel D. Oberdick, Pedro L. Galindo, Quentin M Ramasse, Richard F L Evans, Sara Majetich*, Vlado K Lazarov

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The structural, chemical, and magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles are compared. Aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals the prevalence of antiphase boundaries in nanoparticles that have significantly reduced magnetization, relative to the bulk. Atomistic magnetic modelling of nanoparticles with and without these defects reveals the origin of the reduced moment. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions across antiphase boundaries support multiple magnetic domains even in particles as small as 12-14 nm.

Original languageEnglish
Article number45997
Number of pages8
JournalScientific Reports
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 2017

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2017.

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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