Intermixing enables strong exchange coupling in nanocomposites: Magnetism through the interfacial ferrite in γFe2O3/NiO

E. Skoropata, T. T. Su, H. Ouyang, J. W. Freeland, and J. van Lierop
Phys. Rev. B 96, 024447 – Published 28 July 2017
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Abstract

γFe2O3 particles, surface modified with NiO crystallites, form a unique nanocomposite that points to how to tune strong interfacial exchange coupling. We find that Ni2+ migrates into the octahedral sites of the γFe2O3 nanoparticle surface, and this NiFe2O4-like layer permits effective magnetic coupling of Ni and Fe sites that strengthens the interface exchange. A large increase in coercivity coinciding with a loss of exchange bias is achieved by this strong interfacial coupling that results in a Ni2+ moment reversal in the NiO with the γFe2O3. This work reveals the importance of intermixing in, and possibility to use, such an exchange coupling regime to alter substantially the coercivity and hence control an important property of exchange-coupled nanocomposite magnets.

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  • Received 15 May 2017
  • Revised 19 June 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.96.024447

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

E. Skoropata1,*, T. T. Su2, H. Ouyang2, J. W. Freeland3, and J. van Lierop1,*

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
  • 2Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
  • 3Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA

  • *umskoroe@myumanitoba.ca; Johan.van.Lierop@umanitoba.ca

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 2 — 1 July 2017

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