Introduction

Magnetic materials have played a crucial role in our daily lives, from fridge magnets to sophisticated medical devices. With the advent of nanotechnology, researchers have been investigating the unique properties of magnetic materials at the nanoscale level. In this post, we'll compare nanoscale magnetic materials to conventional magnetic materials, and see how their properties differ. So, buckle up and let's take a magnetic ride!

The Size Matters

One of the most significant differences between nanoscale magnetic materials and conventional magnetic materials is their size. As the name suggests, nanoscale materials refer to those materials that are on a nanoscale level, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in size. On the other hand, conventional magnetic materials such as iron, cobalt, and nickel are measured in micrometers to millimeters.

At the nanoscale, there is a change in the fundamental properties of magnetic materials. When their size is decreased, these materials exhibit new properties that are not seen in conventional materials, making them suitable for various applications.

The Magnetization

Magnetization is a process where magnetic materials are exposed to an external magnetic field, which results in the alignment of their magnetic dipoles. The magnitude of magnetization is represented by magnetic moment per unit volume.

Research has shown that nanoscale magnetic materials exhibit a higher magnetization compared to conventional magnetic materials due to their high surface area to volume ratio. In addition, nanoscale magnetic materials show enhanced magnetic stability and are thus useful in applications where a strong magnetic field is required.

The Applications

Nanoscale magnetic materials are being actively researched for their potential applications in various fields such as biomedical engineering, data storage, and environmental technologies. Their large surface area to volume ratio, high magnetization, and remarkable chemical stability make them a perfect candidate for these applications.

For example, in the biomedical field, researchers are using magnetic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In information storage, magnetic nanoparticles are being used in magnetic recording media, and they are being used for water purification by removing heavy metal ions.

The Drawbacks

While nanoscale magnetic materials offer unique properties and promising applications, there are some challenges that come with their usage. One of the challenges is their potential toxicity. There have been concerns about the safety of nanoparticles, and extensive research is underway to evaluate their safety.

Another drawback is their high cost. Due to the complex synthesis process of nanoscale magnetic materials, the cost of production is significantly higher than conventional magnetic materials.

Conclusion

As we've seen, nanoscale magnetic materials have unique properties that make them a promising candidate for a range of applications. While conventional magnetic materials continue to be widely used, the research and development of nanoscale magnetic materials continue to gather momentum.

So, next time when you are using a fridge magnet or get an MRI scan, think about how remarkable magnetic materials are and how they continue to evolve.

References

1. Lu, A. H., Salabas, E. L., & Schüth, F. (2007). Magnetic nanoparticles: synthesis, protection, functionalization, and application. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 46(8), 1222-1244.
2. Wong, P. C., Li, Y., & Zhao, X. S. (2015). Understanding the fundamental properties of magnetic hybrid nanoparticles and their applications in biomedical imaging and therapy. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 3(12), 2231-2291.
3. Weller, D. (2003). Nanoscale magnetic materials. In Annual Review of Materials Science (Vol. 33, pp. 443-469).