Hydrothermal synthesis of HoMn₂O₅ nanorods and their size-dependent magnetic properties

The HoMn₂O₅ nanorods were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal process. The length of nanorods is readily controllable with basically constant diameter. HoMn₂O₅ nanorods show recognizable divagation at T_N(Ho) of 13 K between FC and ZFC curve due to the contribution of the magnetic ordering of holmium. Size-dependent magnetic properties (i.e. a critical length for magnetization) of HoMn₂O₅ nanorods can be ascribed to the competition between surface strain and uncompensated spin at the surface. - Highlights: • HoMn₂O₅ nanorods were synthesized by a surfactant-assisted hydrothermal route. • HoMn₂O₅ nanorods show recognizable divagation at T_N(Ho) of 13 K between FC and ZFC. • Size-dependent magnetic properties of HoMn₂O₅ nanorods can be observed.