Enhanced magnetic anisotropy of Mn12-acetate

Thin films of the single molecule magnet [Mn12O12(CH3COO)16(H2O)4]·2CH3COOH·4H2O (Mn12-acetate) have been fabricated on a Si-substrate by the dip-and-dry method, a simple and robust technique. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations reveal that homogeneous, thin films of a few molecular layers with smoothness at the molecular level are deposited. Significant changes in magnetic properties of Mn12-acetate exposed to the same solvent were observed in zero field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization, as well as AC-susceptibility measurements. The blocking temperature was found to increase to TB>10K at low magnetic fields, indicating an enhanced magnetic anisotropy.