Role of lattice defects on the magnetism of gold nanoparticles irradiated with neutrons

Xiaogang Peng (1) , Long Lin (1) , Louise Stuttgé (2) , Marc Rousseau (2) , Thierry Sauvage (3) , Emilie Voirin (4) , Bertrand Donnio (4) , Mircea V Rastei (4) , Jean-Louis Gallani (4)

1 Zhejiang University
2 IPHC - Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien
3 CEMHTI - Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation
4 IPCMS - Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg

The origin of the unexpected magnetic properties of nanoparticles made of gold, silver, or other diamagnetic metals remains obscure despite a large body of experimental and theoretical studies. Whereas many studies have endeavoured at finding correlations between magnetism and nanoparticle size or ligand coating, none so far has attempted at investigating the role of core crystallinity. We have irradiated gold nanoparticles with energetic neutrons or protons with the aim of nucleating lattice defects in the crystalline cores. Comparison of the magnetic behaviours before and after irradiation demonstrates clearly that the presence of defects in the crystalline lattice of the nanoparticles cores contributes efficiently to their magnetism.

Mots clés: Nanoparticles; Magnetism; Neutrons; Defects

Domaines: Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

Xiaogang Peng, Long Lin, Louise Stuttgé, Marc Rousseau, Thierry Sauvage, et al.. Role of lattice defects on the magnetism of gold nanoparticles irradiated with neutrons. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 2023, 587, pp.171249. ⟨10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.171249⟩. ⟨hal-04253745⟩