We present theoretical and experimental studies that explain the observed strong enhancement of the magneto-optical (MO) Faraday rotation in all-metal core-shell Co-Ag nanoparticles (NPs) attributed to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). We also explain why the optical absorption and MO spectra peaks appear blue-shifted with increased Co core size while keeping the NP size constant. Further, we demonstrate direct correlation between the strong LSPR induced electromagnetic fields and the enhanced MO activity of the NPs.

Nano-composite material consisting of Co 2 C and Co 3 C nanoparticles has recently been shown to exhibit unusually large coercivities and energy products. Experimental studies that can delineate the properties of individual phases have been undertaken and provide information on how the coercivities and the energy product change with the size and composition of the nanoparticles. The studies indicate that while both phases are magnetic, the Co 3 C has higher magnetization and coercivity compared to Co 2 C. Through first principles electronic structure studies using a GGAþU functional, we provide insight on the role of C intercalation on enhancing the magnetic anisotropy of the individual phases. V

An outstanding problem in nano-magnetism is to stabilize the magnetic order in nanoparticles at room temperatures. For ordinary ferromagnetic materials, reduction in size leads to a decrease in the magnetic anisotropy resulting in superparamagnetic relaxations at nanoscopic sizes. In this work, we demonstrate that using wet chemical synthesis, it is possible to stabilize cobalt carbide nanoparticles which have blocking temperatures exceeding 570 K even for particles with magnetic domains of 8 nm. First principles theoretical investigations show that the observed behavior is rooted in the giant magnetocrystalline anisotropies due to controlled mixing between C p-and Co d-states. V

Exchange coupled cobalt–carbide nanocomposites and single-phase Co2C nanoparticles were synthesized using the polyol process. Hydroxide and chloride anions were used to control carbide phase and particle shape. Synthesized CoxC nanocomposites exhibited average diameters around 300 nm. CoxC nanocomposites synthesized at 0.25 M [OH−] and [Cl−] formed clusters of capped nanorods, whereas synthesis at 0.37 M [OH−] and [Cl−] produced clusters of long blade-like particles. For single-phase Co2C, an [OH−] and [Cl−] of 0.71 M was used and produced clusters of ellipsoidal grains. The CoxC nanocomposites comprised of capped nanorods possessed a BHmax of 1.65 MGOe with a magnetic saturation and coercivity values of 38 emu/g and 2.4 kOe, respectively. Co2C possessed a saturation magnetization of 16 emu/g and coercivity of 1.3 kOe.

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