Decoding magnetization and magnetic anisotropy in core@shell ferrite nanoparticles: interplay between cation distribution and spin disorder
Source abstract
Abstract
The tailoring of magnetic properties in spinel ferrite nanoparticles for theranostic applications relies heavily on the precise control of their chemical composition and crystalline structure. In this work, we investigate the complex interplay between cation distribution, spin disorder, and magnetic anisotropy in core@shell nanoparticles composed of non-stoichiometric Zn-Mn mixed ferrite cores (ZnδMnβFeεO4) protected by a maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) shell. A set of samples with varying Zn/Mn ratios was synthesized via coprecipitation and characterized by complementary techniques, including Selected Area Electron Diffraction and Neutron Powder Diffraction. Rietveld refinement of the neutron data revealed a non-equilibrium cation distribution where the occupancy of tetrahedral and octahedral sites by Zn2+, Mn2+/3+, and Fe3+ ions does not follow a monotonous trend with increasing Zinc content. We demonstrate that this specific cationic arrangement directly governs the saturation magnetization and magnetic anisotropy constants. By proposing a theoretical model based on the experimental cation distribution, we successfully predicted the saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the cores, finding excellent agreement with macroscopic magnetic measurements at 5 K. Furthermore, the discrepancy between the intrinsic core anisotropy and the effective anisotropy highlights the critical role of surface spin disorder and symmetry breaking in these confined nanostructures. These findings provide a robust pathway for decoding and tuning the magnetic performance of complex core@shell nanoarchitectures through structural design.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Magnetic Properties and Synthesis of Ferrites · Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery · Electromagnetic wave absorption materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
Department of Physics, University of Oviedo, Campus de Viesques, 33204 Gijón, Spain
Complex Fluids Group, Instituto de Física, Universidade de Brasília, Caixa Postal 04455, 70919-970, Brasília, DF, Brazil
Instituto de Ciência Tecnologia e Inovação, Universidade Federal da Bahia, UFBA, 42809-000, Camaçari, Brazil
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, PHysico-chimie des Electrolytes et Nanosystémes InterfaciauX, F-75005, Paris, France
Laboratory for Environmental and Applied Nanoscience - LNAA, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Universidade de Brasília, 73345-010, Brasília, DF, Brazil
International Center of Physics, Institute of Physics, Univ. of Brasilia, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil
Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Laboratoire Léon Brillouin UMR 12 CEA/CNRS Bâtiment 563, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires CEA/Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS), P.O. Box 176, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
Funding
Agence Nationale de la Recherche · Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad · Gobierno de Aragón · Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico · Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fluidos Complexos · Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal · Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina · Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades · Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior · Agencia Estatal de Investigación
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