Field-assisted organization, substrate effects and magnetic behavior of Ag30Co70 core–shell nanoparticles

In core–shell systems with non-magnetic core and magnetic shell, the electron transport and magnetic properties are expected to show enhanced behavior due to the particular morpho-structural features of the conductive and magnetic regions. This may lead to novel advanced GMR materials and spin valves. This is the case of core–shell Ag–Co colloidal nanoscale particles that organize into regular arrays. An insight on the structure and morphology of the newly synthesized Ag–Co nanoparticles deposited on different substrates will be presented. The influence of the substrate on different morphologies and organization dynamics is discussed. It is shown that the magnetic behavior of the Ag–Co nanoparticles is highly influenced by the corona-like morphology of Co shell, chemical environment of the magnetic atoms and by the fact that they exhibit strongly reduced coordination due to the surface states.

Graphical abstract3D AFM image of the Ag30Co70 nanoparticles onto 7 nm Pt/200 nm PMMA/Si(100) pre-patterned substrate.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide