Magnetic Phase Transitions in Nanosystems: Role of Size Effects, Intercluster Interactions and Defects

Abstract

Shear stress under high pressure loaded nanoclusters of α, γ-ferric oxides and metallic europium showed first- and second-order magnetic phase transitions. For nanoclusters of α, γ-ferric oxides and metallic europium 57Fe and 151Eu, Mossbauer spectroscopy revealed a considerable change in the Curie (Neel) points. The thermodynamic model predicts first-to-second-order (Eu) and second-to-first-order (Fe oxides) changes in the character of magnetic phase transitions and a decrease or increase of critical Curie (Neel) points. The model defines the critical cluster size and concentration of defects in nanosystems responsible for the change in magnetic properties. For nanoclusters of Fe oxides and metallic Eu, the critical (and maximum) concentration of defects corresponds to a cluster size 20–50nm.