Stable Cluster Motifs for Nanoscale Chromium Oxide Materials

Abstract

We show that by varying the formation conditions, two distinct families of stable chromium oxide nanoparticles can be generated, each with unique electronic and magnetic properties. Both families exhibit a strong tendency to scavenge electronic charge, making them potentially valuable as catalysts. What is more interesting is that one family is found to have the magnetic characteristics of tiny bar magnets and may therefore find use in the design of novel magnetic materials.