Magnetic properties of co-modified Fe,N-TiO2 nanocomposites

Abstract

Iron and nitrogen co-modified titanium dioxide nanocomposites, nFe,N-TiO2 (where n = 1, 5 and 10 wt% of Fe), were investigated by detailed dc susceptibility and magnetization measurements. Different kinds of magnetic interactions were evidenced depending essentially on iron loading of TiO2. The coexistence of superparamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases was identified at high temperatures. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions were observed below 50 K, where some part of the nanocomposite entered into a long range antiferromagnetic ordering. Antiferromagnetic interactions were attributed to the magnetic agglomerates of iron-based and trivalent iron ions in FeTiO3 phase,whereas ferromagnetic interactions stemmed from the F-center mediated bound magnetic polarons.