The remanence ratio in CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with approximate single-domain sizes

Approximately single-domain-sized 9-, 13-, and 16-nm CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are synthesized using the thermal decomposition of a metal-organic salt. By means of dilution and reduction, the concentration, moment, and anisotropy of nanoparticles are changed and their influence on the magnetic properties is investigated. The relation of M r/M s ∝ 1/lgH dip is observed, where M r/M s is the remanence ratio and H dip is the maximum dipolar field. Especially, such relation is more accurate for the nanoparticle systems with higher concentration and higher moment, i.e., larger H dip. The deviation from M r/M s ∝ 1/lgH dip appearing at low temperatures can be attributed to the effects of surface spins for the single-phase CoFe2O4 nanoparticles and to the pinning effect of CoFe2O4 on CoFe2 for the slightly reduced nanoparticles. Graphical Abstract Approximately single-domain-sized 9-, 13-, and 16-nm CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized and then the concentration, moment, and anisotropy of these NPs were changed. The correlation of M r/M s ∝ 1/lgH dip was observed, independent of the size, concentration, moment, and anisotropy, and especially, such correlation is more accurate for the nanoparticle systems with higher concentration or moment, i.e., stronger dipolar interaction, which has not been reported before as far as we know.