Synthesis and Characterization of ε-Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticles and Thin Films

by Zheng Ma, Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites (NN) group, ICMAB, CSIC

Date: Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Time: 11 am
Venue: Online session from the ICMAB Meeting Room. Register here to attend the Defense by Zoom. 

Abstract: During the last two decades, the ferric oxide polymorph ε-Fe₂O₃ has transitioned from being a scientific rarity to attracting increasing attention for its multiferroic character and huge coercive field at room temperature. Such uncommon properties bring out fundamental aspects related to its complex magnetic phase diagram and also make ε-Fe₂O₃ appealing for applications in information technologies.

This thesis explores the synthesis and characterization of ε-(Fe_1-xM_x)₂O₃ nanoparticles in which Fe³⁺ is substituted by other magnetic transition metals (Cr, Mn, Co and Ru). The site-selective occupation of the dopants provides insights into the complex physics of this polar oxide. In addition, the thesis studies the stabilization of ε-Fe₂O₃ epitaxial thin films on various substrates, including spinel MgAl₂O₄ (111) and flexible mica and their structural and magnetic properties

Supervisor:

• Martí Gich, NN group, ICMAB, CSIC

PhD Committee:

• President: Javier Blasco Carral, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain
• Secretary: Joan Manel Hernàndez Ferràs, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
• Vocal: Nathalie Viart, Université de Strasbourg, France

University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
PhD Programme: Materials Science