Exchange Bias Effects in Iron Oxide-Based Nanoparticle Systems

TL;DR

This review discusses the exchange bias effect in iron oxide nanoparticles, highlighting recent experimental and computational insights into their magnetic properties for applications in nanospintronics and nanomedicine.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the physical mechanisms and recent advances in understanding exchange bias in various iron oxide nanostructures.

Findings

Interface and surface spins influence exchange bias

Chemical synthesis enables tailored nanostructures

Atomistic studies reveal spin interactions

Abstract

The exploration of exchange bias (EB) on the nanoscale provides a novel approach to improving the anisotropic properties of magnetic nanoparticles for prospective applications in nanospintronics and nanomedicine. However, the physical origin of EB is not fully understood. Recent advances in chemical synthesis provide a unique opportunity to explore EB in a variety of iron oxide-based nanostructures ranging from core/shell to hollow and hybrid composite nanoparticles. Experimental and atomistic Monte Carlo studies have shed light on the roles of interface and surface spins in these nanosystems. This review paper aims to provide a thorough understanding of the EB and related phenomena in iron oxide-based nanoparticle systems, knowledge of which is essential to tune the anisotropic magnetic properties of exchange-coupled nanoparticle systems for potential applications.