Neutron scattering study of structural and magnetic size effects in NiO

Nickel oxide powders with the grain size of 13–1500 nm have been studied by neutron scattering, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. We have found that the atomic structure and the antiferromagnetic ordering are nearly independent of the average size of grains. The existence of the uncompensated spins in nanoparticles with the grain size below 100 nm has been detected.