Magnetic properties of Co–Cu nanoparticles dispersed in silica matrix

The magnetic properties of Co-Cu/silica nanocomposites prepared by sequential ion implantation have been investigated. The nanostructure is formed of 4 nm average size particles dispersed in silica matrix and with mainly FCC structure. The hysteresis loops at 3 K indicate that the nanoparticles have uniaxial anisotropy with values smaller than that of single Cobalt implants. The samples are characterized by a superparamagnetic behavior with blocking temperatures that depend on the Co/Cu implanted ratio, and the blocking temperature distributions are narrower than those obtained by taking into account only the particle size distribution. Results are discussed considering size effects and that the nanoparticles are formed of a Co-Cu solid solution or only of Co.