The Composition and Magnetic Structure of Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 Core–Shell Nanocomposites at 300 and 80 K: Mössbauer Study (Part I)

Abstract

The magnetic structure and the composition of Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles are studied at 300 and 80 K with Mossbauer spectroscopy. We found that the Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 particles are a core–shell nanocomposite (NC), in which magnetite Fe3O4 is covered with a maghemite shell (γ-Fe2O3). We showed that the thickness of the maghemite shell (γ-Fe2O3) depends on synthesis technology. We found that a layer, whose magnetic structure differs from that of the inner part of the shell (γ-Fe2O3), is formed on the surface of the maghemite shell (γ-Fe2O3) in the Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 NC. An intermediate layer is formed in the spin-glass state between the core and the shell. The data on structure of core–shell nanocomposites open up prospects to explain the properties of such particles, which are of great interest to use in various fields, including biomedicine.