Magnetic properties of colloidal cobalt nanoclusters

Abstract. Co nanoclusters were synthesized by an inverse-micelle chemical route. The magnetic and microstructural properties of the nanoparticles have been analyzed as a function of the surfactant (AOT and DEHP) and the drying method. Microstructural analysis has been performed by TEM and XANES; magnetic properties have been studied by hysteresis loops and zero-field cooling - field cooling (ZFC-FC) curves. TEM images show 2 to 4 nm sized particles spherical in shape. XANES measurements point out a significant presence of Co3O4 with metallic Co and some Co2+ bound to the surfactant. The presence of antiferromagnetic Co3O4 explains the magnetic transition observed at low T in both ZFC-FC mea…