Correlation between saturation magnetization, bandgap, and lattice volume of transition metal ( M = Cr , Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) doped Zn 1 − x M x O nanoparticles J. Appl. Phys. 107, 09E314 (2010) We have studied the effect of Cr capping on the magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs have an average diameter of 2.2 nm. The blocking temperature T B of the bare Co particles is 13.2 K. By capping with a thin Cr layer up to a thickness of t Cr ¼ 0.52 nm, we first observe a decrease of T B up to t Cr ¼ 0.14 nm, followed by an increase of T B for larger thicknesses 0.14 nm t Cr 0.52 nm. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements at the resonant Co and Cr L 3 edges confirm a magnetic polarization of Cr which is opposite to the magnetization of Co. The antiparallel alignment of Co and Cr spins at the Co/Cr interface can explain the decrease at low capping layer thickness. However, for larger Cr capping layer thicknesses, the Cr film bridges the Co NPs, mediating interparticle exchange coupling and enhancing dipolar coupling that leads to an increase of the blocking temperature. V C 2013 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx