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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

superparamegnetic behavior, megnetite nanoparticles, Fe3O4

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have the unique ability of being superparamagnetic. When no field is applied to the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles’ assembly has a net magnetization of zero, meaning that the nanoparticles’ magnetic moments align in random positions leading to a net magnetization of zero. When a field is applied, the particles’ magnetic moments align with the magnetic field. This is considered superparamagnetic because this is looked at on the nanometer (nm) scale and not the atomic scale. Being able to understand this phenomenon will open up many doors in technology and medical usage. Nanocrystals, such as Fe3O4 particles, are good candidates for potential developments as they carry a strong magnetization. The nanoparticles can be used for high density magnetic storage and also for the delivery of medicine to pin point areas in the body, for example hyperthermia, since magnetite is not harmful to our bodies. While the magnetic properties of such particles are a central aspect for technological applications, their chemical stability is a very important factor that can impact all the other properties. It is therefore necessary to fully control and understand the influence of the chemical composition, the crystallographic structure, and the size and shape of the nanoparticles and how this affects their electronic and magnetic properties. At a larger spatial scale, it is important to understand how the density, the morphology, and the spatial distribution of the nanoparticles in self-assemblies can influence the inter-particle magnetic couplings, the long-range order and the dynamics of magnetic fluctuations.

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