Magnetic behaviour of Mn12-stearate single-molecule magnets immobilized on the surface of 300 nm spherical silica nanoparticles

Abstract

The magnetic behaviour of Mn12-stearate single-molecule magnets (SMMs) ([Mn12O12 (CH3 (CH2)16CO2)16] 2CH3COOH 4H2O) on the surface of 300 nm spherical silica nanoparticles were investigated. The SMMs were bonded at the silica surface with the assumed number of anchoring points, which influenced on their degree of freedom and distribution. In order to check the properties of Mn12-stearate molecules separated on the silica surface, and check their interactions, the samples containing four different concentration of spacers per single anchoring unit and variously bonded Mn12-stearate particles were prepared. The materials have been examined using Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. The results of magnetic measurements showed a correlation between the way of single-molecule magnets immobilization onto the silica spheres and the magnetic properties of the obtained hybrid materials.