Magnetic properties of EuS nanoparticles synthesized by thermal decomposition of molecular precursors

Abstract

Europium(II) sulfide nanoparticles with an average particle size of 5.5 nm and a narrow size distribution were synthesized by the direct and facile thermal decomposition of a molecular precursor Eu(Phen)(Ddtc)3 (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, Ddtc = diethyldithiocarbamate) at the relatively low temperature of 200 °C. Compared with EuS samples of 50–120 nm in size, which show bulk ferromagnetic ordering, the EuS nanocrystals of 5–6 nm in size show a cluster glass-like behavior. Moreover, a quasi-ferrimagnetic behavior was observed in the smallest EuS sample upon oxidation of the surface.