ナノ材料表面における化学相互作用を検知するためのスピン秩序現象駆動型DC磁力計解析ツール

DC-magnetometry is proposed as an ultrasensitive probe to directly study surface spin ordering induced by chemical interactions. As a proof-of-concept, we investigated the adsorption of arsenic species onto akaganeite nanorods, a nanostructured iron oxyhydroxide particularly effective in the removal of As^V/As^III species. DC-magnetometry unequivocally revealed the presence of arsenate through a new and distinct magnetic signature (a second peak in the ZFC curve), highlighting the effect of the adsorbate-adsorbent interaction. This peculiar magnetic feature, strictly dependent on the adsorbate speciation (As^III vs As^V), amount, and type of interaction, was found to be directly and linearly correlated with the amount of As^V adsorbed on the surface. The comparison between the results obtained by different conventional and advanced techniques further highlighted the unique ability of DC magnetometry in qualitatively and quantitatively revealing the adsorption phenomenon. The suggestion of a ligand exchange process by XPS for the As^V allowed us to interpret the observed surface spin ordering in terms of specific chemical interactions. This evidence establishes DC-magnetometry as a powerful and unconventional analytical tool for monitoring and quantifying complex surface phenomena on magnetically responsive materials suitable as heterogeneous catalysts, sorbents, and sensors.