JCNS Workshop 2024, Trends and Perspectives in Neutron Scattering: Functional Interfaces

In single-domain nanoparticles (NPs), magnetic anisotropy significantly influences crucial properties in crafting magnetic nanocrystals for high-density data storage or medical purposes[1]. Success in designing systems to fulfill these applications requires a fine tune in the magnetic properties of the NPs, which is directly related to the control of the composition and morphology of the...

Novel, multifunctional nanoparticles and hydrogels that exhibits a unique set of properties for the effective treatment of cancer are presented. The materials are comprised of polypeptidic and polyethylene oxide polymers that are a non-cytotoxic polymer. The amphiphilic hybrid materials assemble in aqueous media to form micelles or vesicles, comprised of an outer hydrophilic corona of PEO...

Scattering methods such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) are well established as powerful techniques to investigate the structure of nanoscale objects. The usefulness of these methods for elucidating the role of confinement in catalysis, which is the main goal of the Collaborative Research Center 1333, is demonstrated by two recent studies. In...

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising nano-vehicles for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, imaging, and magnetic hyperthermia. However, one of the limitations of these systems is their tendency to agglomerate, which has a direct impact on the efficiency of their performance. One way to overcome this limitation is to apply a coating during synthesis. In...

During the last decades, we have dived into the fascinating pool of 4f intermetallic ensembles of nanoalloys. With a strong magnetic moment, these ensembles constitute the best case examples alloys to unveil modifications in RKKY interactions and crystalline electric field (CEF) driven by the size reduction to the nanoscale. Chiefly focused in binary alloys, in the form RM2, being R = Tb, Nd,...

In recent decades, analyzing complex, disordered systems posed a challenging yet highly rewarding endeavor in the field of physics [1]. One intriguing area of investigation involves spin disorder [2], particularly in the context of magnetic nanoparticles. They exhibit a reduced saturation magnetization compared to their bulk counterparts that is the result of a substantial degree of spin...

The macroscopic physical properties of magnetic nanoparticles rely on magnetic anisotropy, and their understanding is fundamental to the design of magnetic materials for different applications[1]. Magnetic anisotropy is influenced by the shape, crystal structure, surface effects, and interactions. Macroscopic magnetic measurements, such as DC magnetization and AC susceptibility, allow us to...