Synthesis and size-dependent exchange bias in inverted core-shell MnO|Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Core-shell nanoparticles of MnO vertical bar Mn3O4 with average particle sizes of 5-60 nm, composed of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) core and a ferrimagnetic (FiM) shell, have been synthesized and their magnetic properties investigated. The core-shell structure has been generated by the passivation of the MnO cores, yielding an inverted AFM-core vertical bar FiM-shell system, as opposed to the typical FM-core vertical bar FM-shell. The exchange-coupling between AFM and FiM gives rise to an enhanced coercivity of similar to 8 kOe and a loop shift of similar to 2 kOe at 10 K, i.e., exchange bias. The coercivity and loop shift show a non-monotonic variation with the core diameter. The large coercivity and the loop shift are ascribed to the highly anisotropic Mn3O4 and size effects of the AFM (i.e., uncompensated spins, AFM domains, and size-dependent transition temperature).