Controlled Magnetic Anisotropy in Single Domain Mn-doped Biosynthesized Nanoparticles

Abstract

Magnetotactic bacteria Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense synthesize cubo-octahedral shaped magnetite nanoparticles, called magnetosomes, with a mean diameter of 40 nm. The high quality of the biosynthesized nanoparticles makes them suitable for numerous applications in fields like cancer therapy, among others. The magnetic properties of magnetite magnetosomes can be tailored by doping them with transition metal elements, increasing their potential applications. In this work, we address the effect of Mn doping on the main properties of magnetosomes by the combination of structural and magnetic characterization techniques. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray absorption nearedge structure, and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism results reveal a Mn dopant percentage of utmost 2.3%, where Mn cations are incorporated as a combination of Mn2+ and Mn3+, preferably occupying tetrahedral and octahedral sites, respectively. Fe substitution by Mn notably alters the magnetic behavior of the doped magnetosomes. Theoretical modeling of the experimental hysteresis loops taken between 5 and 300 K with a modified Stoner-Wohlfarth approach highlights the different anisotropy contributions of the doped magnetosomes as a function of temperature. In comparison with the undoped magnetosomes, Mn incorporation alters the magnetocrystalline anisotropy introducing a negative and larger cubic anisotropy down to the Verwey transition, which appears shifted to lower temperature values as a consequence of Mn doping. On the other hand, Mn-doped magnetosomes show a decrease in the uniaxial anisotropy in the whole temperature range, most likely associated with a morphological modification of the Mn-doped magnetosomes.