Field dependence of the interfacial Cu in Cu-coated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

Evidence of elemental copper magnetism in Cu-coated gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was revealed by element specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). An interfacial layer of magnetic CuO was discovered that interacted with the Fe3+ surface magnetic moments. This unexpected exchange interaction canted the moments of the CuO, so that a non-zero net magnetic moment was measured. XMCD measurements as a function of field on the copper coated gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles indicated that the CuO magnetic moment was aligned with the octahedral Fe3+ and its magnetization was modified by the changing applied field. With increasing copper thickness, a stronger field dependence of the Fe3+ and Cu2+ magnetization was observed. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3676228]