Structural and magnetic properties of core-shell Au/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles

We present a systematic study of core-shell Au/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles produced by thermal decomposition under mild conditions. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanoparticles revealed the presence of Au core of d = (6.9 ± 1.0) nm surrounded by Fe₃O₄ shell with a thickness of ~3.5 nm, epitaxially grown onto the Au core surface. The Au/Fe₃O₄ core-shell structure was demonstrated by high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis. The magnetite shell grown on top of the Au nanoparticle displayed a thermal blocking state at temperatures below T_B = 59 K and a relaxed state well above T_B. Remarkably, an exchange bias effect was observed when cooling down the samples below room temperature under an external magnetic field. Moreover, the exchange bias field (H_EX) started to appear at T~40 K and its value increased by decreasing the temperature. This effect has been assigned to the interaction of spins located in the magnetically disordered regions (in the inner and outer surface of the Fe₃O₄ shell) and spins located in the ordered region of the Fe₃O₄ shell.