Spin glass like behaviour of magnetite nanoparticle system obtained by thermal decomposition of acetylacetonate precursor

Abstract

The research aim was to investigate the magnetic properties of strongly interacting Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Monodisperse nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate. Transmission electron microscopy pointed to the narrow particle size distribution with the mean particle size of (4.87±1.10) nm. The magnetic properties were studied by means of SQUID magnetometer, with AC and DC measurements carried in the wide range of applied magnetic field, temperature and frequencies. Magnetic characterization proved superparamagnetic behaviour at high, as well as spin glass like (SGL) properties at low temperatures. The experimental fingerprints for SGL behaviour were found in the observed memory effects.