When exposed to air, new nanomaterial becomes magnetic at high temperatures
While fridge magnets are great for saving favorite recipes, modern magnetic materials are useful for improving fiber optics or quantum information science technology. On most fridge magnets the atoms are arranged in a repeated lattice structure called a "spinel." These structures are made up of three types of atoms, generically referred to as atoms "A," "B" and "X."
Scientists have developed two new nanomaterials composed of silver, chromium, and selenium ions that exhibit remarkable magnetic properties. These materials, known as spinels, are characterized by their unique atomic arrangements, which determine their behavior in response to various stimuli such as heat and air. In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers describe how these spinels undergo a dramatic transformation when exposed to air.
The first spinel, when left to air, gradually loses its silver ions. This transformation results in a second phase of the spinel that retains its magnetic properties up to a high temperature of 400 Kelvin, or 260 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the original spinel loses its magnetic properties at a much lower temperature of 152 Kelvin, or -185 degrees Fahrenheit. This represents the largest change ever documented in the Curie temperature, which is the highest temperature at which a material remains magnetic.
The researchers, led by Ezra K. Bacon-Gershman and colleagues, plan to further investigate these two materials to gain deeper insights into the fundamental principles of magnetism. This discovery opens up new possibilities for applications in various fields, including fiber optics and quantum information science. As fridge magnets are well-known for their utility in everyday life, these advanced nanomaterials could potentially revolutionize technology in more complex and sophisticated ways.
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