Fe₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ Nanoparticles Embedded in Mesoporous Silica: Magnetic Properties Comparison

Nanocomposite materials containing Fe₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles with the same concentration were prepared by nanocasting method. At this procedure silica matrix serves as nanoreactor for growth of nanoparticles. Temperature and external dc field dependences of the magnetization both samples were compared. Composite containing Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles shows superparamagnetic behaviour with blocking temperature around 45 K. Otherwise, paramagnetic properties were observed for the sample with Gd₂O₃ (above 10 K). Additionally, due to free pores the silica matrix could serve as medium to increase the number of bonded water molecules. These properties together with appropriate magnetic characteristics make studied materials suitable for magnetic resonance imaging applications.