Structural analysis of Fe–Mn–O nanoparticles in glass ceramics by small angle scattering

•Formation and growth mechanisms of magnetic nanoparticles in silicate glass.•SANSPOL and ASAXS methods employed to evaluate quantitative information.•Analyses showed formation of nanoparticles with spherical core–shell structures.•Core of the particle is magnetic and surrounded by weak magnetic shell like region.

Magnetic nanocrystals containing Fe and Mn were obtained by annealing of silicate glasses with the composition 13.6Na2O–62.9SiO2–8.5MnO–15.0Fe2O3−x (mol%) at 580 °C for different periods of time. Here, we present Small Angle Neutron Scattering using Polarized neutrons (SANSPOL) and Anomalous Small Angle X-ray Scattering (ASAXS) investigation on these glass ceramic samples. Analysis of scattering data from both methods reveals the formation of spherical core–shell type of nanoparticles with mean sizes between 10 nm and 100 nm. ASAXS investigation shows the particles have higher concentration of iron atoms and the shell like region surrounding the particles is enriched in SiO2. SANSPOL investigation shows the particles are found to be magnetic and are surrounded by a non-magnetic shell-like region.

Graphical abstractMagnetic spherical core–shell nanoparticles in glass ceramics: SANSPOL and ASAXS investigations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide