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MAGNETIC
The central theme of this research effort is the directed synthesis of nanophase magnetic particulate materials, the magnetic properties of which are tailored by the size, shape, and composition of the particles, and by their assembly into mono- and multi-component two-dimensional ordered arrays. The broad goal of this program is to create new magnetic materials whose mesoscopic magnetic properties (individual cluster moment, anisotropy, etc.) can be independently varied over a broad range. Furthermore, through the use of an appropriate interstitial material, the assembly of these magnetic building blocks into ordered two-dimensional arrays would allow for tunable and externally controllable inter-particle interactions that modify the macroscopic material properties for future application as superior performance magnetic memory, sensors, and ultra-high speed device architectures. This synthesis and characterization program will elucidate correlations between physical and magnetic properties of the materials on the meso-scale range, and thus lay a foundation for chemical design of magnetism in nanomaterials.
The specific aims of the proposed magnetic nanoparticle effort include:
(1) To synthesize and characterize mono-disperse magnetic nanoparticles ranging in size from 5 to 60 nm within our library of protein cages. Mineral cores to be synthesized will include neat, doped, and alloyed metal oxides, which, upon reduction, will yield particles of the corresponding metals as well as the direct synthesis of metallic ordered alloys that do not require reduction or annealing.
(2) To assemble these magnetic particles in two and three- dimensional arrays of micron size and characterize the physical structure and magnetic properties of these assemblies. Control and variability of macroscopic magnetic properties can be achieved by the control of interparticle separation and relative particle-particle orientations. The overall objective will be the fine-tuning of magnetic properties of these assemblies by directed assembly and by incorporation of chemical crosslinks and interstitial material that modifies the particle-particle interactions.
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