Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of nearly monodisperse CuCr2Se4 nanoparticles

Nearly monodisperse CuCr(2)Se(4) hexagon-shaped nanoparticles with crystallite sizes from 15.1 to 24.3 nm were synthesized by thermal decomposition of metal chlorides and selenium powder in oleylamine. In addition, the 'flower'-shaped CuCr(2)Se(4) nanoparticles with a crystallite size 19.8 nm were also fabricated under similar conditions using heptanoic acid. Magnetic measurements show that all samples reveal ferromagnetic behavior below 350 K. The 'flower'-shaped nanoparticles have saturation magnetization, coercivity and remanent magnetization higher than the hexagon-shaped nanoparticles. However, the Curie temperature of the 'flower'-shaped nanoparticles (approximately 380 K) is somewhat lower than in the hexagon-shaped nanoparticles (420-430 K). These phenomena may be associated with the shape and surface anisotropy which would exert a tremendous influence on the particle's magnetic properties.