Directing the orientational alignment of anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles using dynamic magnetic fields

The structure-directing influence of static and dynamic, i.e. rotating, magnetic fields on the orientational alignment of spindle-type hematite particles with a high aspect ratio is investigated. Structural characterization using electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering confirms a nearly collinear particle arrangement with orientation of the main particle axis either parallel or perpendicular to the substrate as directed by the magnetic field geometry. The combination of large structural and magnetocrystalline anisotropies results in significantly different, strongly anisotropic magnetic properties of the assemblies revealed by directional magnetization measurements.