The remanence ratio in CoFe ₂O ₄ nanoparticles with approximate single-domain sizes

Abstract

Approximately single-domain-sized 9-, 13-, and 16-nm CoFe ₂O ₄ nanoparticles are synthesized using the thermal decomposition of a metal-organic salt. By means of dilution and reduction, the concentration, moment, and anisotropy of nanoparticles are changed and their influence on the magnetic properties is investigated. The relation of M _r/ M _s ∝ 1/lg H _dip is observed, where M _r/ M _s is the remanence ratio and H _dip is the maximum dipolar field. Especially, such relation is more accurate for the nanoparticle systems with higher concentration and higher moment, i.e., larger H _dip. The deviation from M _r/ M _s ∝ 1/lg H _dip appearing at low temperatures can be attributed to the effects of surface spins for the single-phase CoFe ₂O ₄ nanoparticles and to the pinning effect of CoFe ₂O ₄ on CoFe ₂ for the slightly reduced nanoparticles.

Graphical Abstract

Approximately single-domain-sized 9-, 13-, and 16-nm CoFe ₂O ₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and then the concentration, moment, and anisotropy of these NPs were changed. The correlation of M _r/ M _s ∝ 1/lg H _dip was observed, independent of the size, concentration, moment, and anisotropy, and especially, such correlation is more accurate for the nanoparticle systems with higher concentration or moment, i.e., stronger dipolar interaction, which has not been reported before as far as we know.