Implications and consequences of ferromagnetism universally exhibited by inorganic nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper discusses the universal presence of surface ferromagnetism in inorganic nanoparticles, its implications for magnetic properties, and potential applications in creating new multifunctional materials.

Contribution

It highlights the universal occurrence of surface ferromagnetism in inorganic nanoparticles and explores its implications for material properties and potential technological applications.

Findings

Surface ferromagnetism explains unusual magnetic features.

Multiferroic BaTiO3 nanoparticles demonstrate new functionalities.

Coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in some materials.

Abstract

Occurrence of surface ferromagnetism in inorganic nanoprticles as a universal property not only explains many of the unusual magnetic features of oxidic thin films, but also suggests its possible use in creating new materials, as exemplified by multiferroic BaTiO3 nanoparticles. While the use of Mn-doped ZnO and such materials in spintronics appears doubtful, it is possible to have materials exhibiting coexistence of (bulk) superconductivity with (surface) ferromagnetism.