Magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles in a Cr2O3 antiferromagnetic matrix

We present the synthesis and study of the magnetic properties of similar to 6 nm Co nanoparticles embedded in an antiferromagnetic matrix of Cr2O3. The magnetic measurements have shown the presence of exchange interactions at the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interface. This interaction is manifested by the shift of the coercive field measured after field cooling the sample through the Cr2O3 Neel temperature (T-N = 308 K). Moreover, this interaction enhances the anisotropy of the Co nanoparticles making them magnetically stable till room temperature.