The morphology and magnetic properties of iron nanoclusters decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes

Vapor phase growth of magnetic nanoclusters on different substrates alters their physical, chemical, and magnetic properties. In this work, DC magnetron sputtering with inert gas condensation (IGC) technique was used to produce iron (Fe) based nanoclusters on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and silicon (Si) substrates. For comparison, simple electron beam evaporation technique was used to deposit Fe on the same type of substrates. We observed that surface of the electron beam evaporation sample was oxidized from Fe to γ-Fe₂O₃ when exposed to air. IGC growth Fe/Si sample exhibited a magnetic negative exchange bias. Core level binding energy (BE) and the valance band maximum (VBM) shifts were affirmed the formation of a semi-metallic phase. There was substantial enhancement in the saturation magnetization in the IGC sample up to five times compared to the evaporated sample which can be applied to the magnetic applications.