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Superspin ensembles of oxidized-\({\hbox {Co}}_x{\hbox {Fe}}_{1-x}{\hbox {S}}_2\) with embedded magnetic nanoparticles

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Abstract

We report on the magnetic behavior of oxidized-Co\(_x\)Fe\(_{1-x}\)S\(_2\) nanocrystals as they assemble to form nanoparticles. The morphologies show a typical NP size of around 250–100 nm and NC sizes of around 7 nm. Using extended absorption fine structure, we confirm the existence of Co-oxides for x \(\ge\) 0.5. The temperature dependence of DC magnetization and AC susceptibility reveals a number of magnetic phases in these NP oxides. Co-existence of blocking and freezing behaviors via intercluster dipolar interactions is found consistent with the antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within clusters embedded within a “supermagnetic” ensemble. The Fe substitution influences the supermagnetism of the ensemble, while the AF behavior of the embedded clusters remains largely unaffected. The overall behavior can be described by a phase diagram which can be understood in terms of competition between the various dipolar, inter-, and intracluster interactions within the random magnetic anisotropy model.

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The authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially funded by Bavaria California Technology Center (BaCaTeC), project No.:4 [2014-2] during 2015-2016. A. Paul acknowledges the BaCaTec funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physik Department E21, Lehrstuhl für Neutronenstreuung, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany

    Henrik Gabold

  2. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Wang Chan Valley, Rayong, 21210, Thailand

    Chinawat Ekwongsa & Rattikorn Yimnirun

  3. Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), 111 University Ave, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Pinit Kidkhunthod

  4. Walther-Meißner-Institut, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, 85748, Garching, Germany

    Matthias Opel

  5. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Guangdong Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, 241 Daxue Lu, Shantou, 515063, Guangdong, China

    Amitesh Paul

  6. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000, Israel

    Amitesh Paul

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  1. Henrik Gabold
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Contributions

HG prepared the samples. HG and MO did the magnetization measurements. CE, PK, and RY did the XANES measurements and along with AP wrote the related portion. AP conceived and designed the work, analyzed the data, coordinated the work, and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Amitesh Paul.

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Gabold, H., Ekwongsa, C., Kidkhunthod, P. et al. Superspin ensembles of oxidized-\({\hbox {Co}}_x{\hbox {Fe}}_{1-x}{\hbox {S}}_2\) with embedded magnetic nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Research 38, 867–882 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-022-00871-0

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