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Origin of reduced magnetization and domain formation in small magnetite nanoparticles
Zlatko Nedelkoski1, Demie Kepaptsoglou2, Leonardo Lari1
1Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
Scientific Reports
|April 11, 2017
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.