Effects of coating on magnetic properties in iron oxide nanoparticles

We have studied influence of surface modification on physical properties of iron oxide nanoparticles. We compared samples prepared by thermal decomposition of organic precursor in the presence of oleic acid, and the particles prepared by coprecipitation and partially coated by SiO2 or modified by citric acid and subsequently covered by photoactive TiO2 layer, respectively. Samples were characterised using TEM and XRD, further magnetic studies such as temperature dependence of magnetization and a.c. susceptibility show superparamagnetic behavior for all samples at room temperature. The effects of coating on dipolar inter particle interactions are discussed.