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Sputtering of size-tunable oxidized Fe nanoparticles by gas flow method

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24 February 2021 Editor's Note: Based on the explanation provided by the authors and their institution, the Editor-in-Chief concluded that no further editorial action is needed.

01 October 2020 Editor's Note: The Editor-in-Chief is currently investigating this article as concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data. Further editorial action may be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

Abstract

Systematic optimization of sputter parameters allowed the growth of size-tunable ferric nanoparticles on glassy-carbon substrates using gas flow sputtering technique. By variation of the sputtering pressure and particle aggregation length, Fe nanoparticles with mean diameter ranging between 20 and 150 nm were formed. Several physical and optical techniques were used to examine the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. While nanoparticles were revealed as spherical, their crystalline structure was detected only for the hematite type of Fe. By fostering the sputtering growth using Ar and He admixture flow, density variation within the grown particles was established, offering a strategy to overcome the slow growth rates in the sputter sources. Magnetization measurements taken at room temperature did not show evidence of the impact of size on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. Thus, saturation magnetization and coercivity values were obtained. Measurements of the linear optical properties of the sputtered nanoparticles showed a general decrease in extinction with decreasing nanoparticle size. Monotonically decreasing spectra were observed, except for a shoulder in the 300–400 nm range.

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Change history

  • 01 October 2020

    Editor's Note: The Editor-in-Chief is currently investigating this article as concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data. Further editorial action may be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

  • 24 February 2021

    Editor's Note: Based on the explanation provided by the authors and their institution, the Editor-in-Chief concluded that no further editorial action is needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Science, College of Humanities and Sciences, Ajman University, PO Box, 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

    E. A. Dawi, A. Haj Ismail & A. AbdelKader

  2. Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia

    A. A. Karar

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Dawi, E.A., Ismail, A.H., AbdelKader, A. et al. Sputtering of size-tunable oxidized Fe nanoparticles by gas flow method. Appl. Phys. A 126, 316 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-03498-2

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