Synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic properties of Fe/Pt core-shell nanoparticles

Structural and magnetic properties of Fe/Pt core-shell nanostructure prepared by a sequential reduction process are reported. Transmission electron microscopy shows nearly spherical particles fitting a lognormal size distribution with Do = 3.0 nm and distribution width λD = 0.31. In x-ray diffraction, Bragg lines only from the Pt shell are clearly identified with line-widths yielding crystallite size = 3.1 nm. Measurements of magnetization M vs. T (2 K–350 K) in magnetic fields up to 90 kOe show a blocking temperature TB = 13 K below which hysteresis loops are observed with coercivity HC increasing with decreasing T reaching HC = 750 Oe at 2 K. Temperature dependence of the ac susceptibilities at frequencies fm = 10 Hz–5 kHz is measured to determine the change in TB with fm using the Vogel-Fulcher law. This analysis shows the presence of significant interparticle interaction, the Neel-Brown relaxation frequency fo = 5.3 × 1010 Hz and anisotropy constant Ka = 3.6 × 106 ergs/cm3. A fit of the M vs. H data up to H = 90 kOe for T > TB to the modified Langevin function taking particle size distribution into account yields magnetic moment per particle consistent with the proposed core-shell structure; Fe core of 2.2 nm diameter and Pt shell of 0.4 nm thickness.