Abstract
We report the microstructural and magnetic properties of monodispersed nanoparticles (NPs) of antiferromagnetic MnO (TN = 118 K), with epitaxial ferrimagnetic Mn3O4 (TC = 43 K) shells. Above TC, an unusually large magnetization is present, produced by the uncompensated spins (UCSs) on the surface of the MnO particles. These spins impart a net anisotropy to the MnO particles that is approximately three orders of magnitude larger than the bulk value. As a result, an anomalously high blocking temperature is exhibited by the MnO particles, and finite coercivity and exchange bias are present above TC. When field cooled below TC, a strong exchange bias was established in the Mn3O4 shells as a result of high net anisotropy of the MnO particles. A large coercivity was also observed. Models of several aspects of the behaviour of this unusual system emphasized the essential role of the UCSs on the surfaces of the MnO NPs.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 134007 |
| Journal | Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 7 Jul 2008 |