Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of CoAl₂O₄ Coated Co Solid Solution Nanocapsules

Abstract

A new type of antiferromagnetic CoAl2O4 coated ferromagnetic Co solid solution is synthesized by arc-discharging. Typical HRTEM images show that the nanocapsules form in a core-shell structure. The size of the nanocapsules is in range of 10-90 nm and the thickness of the shell is about 3-10 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that the core consists of Co solid solution, while the shell is CoAl2O4. The magnetic field and temperature dependence of magnetizations confirm that the Co solid solution nanocapsules are basically in the ferromagnetic state below Curie temperature. In addition, the antiferromagnetic order occurs with Neél temperature TN of about 5 K. The saturation magnetization of Ms = 76.1 Am2/kg and the coercive force of Hc= 23.28 kA/m are achieved at room temperature for the Co solid solution nanocapsules.