Size-induced effects in wet-chemically synthesized CoPt3 nanoparticles

CoPt3 alloy spherical nanoparticles with sizes tuned between 3-7 nm were produced by the simultaneous thermal treatment of proper platinum and cobalt precursors in the presence of surfactants. The final size and composition of the particles are determined by the precursors' ratio, the chemical behavior of Co precursors and the stabilizing efficiency of the surfactants. By employing higher reaction temperatures (approximately 350 degrees C) better alloying is achieved leading to enhancement of macroscopic magnetic features and decrease of the superparamagnetic limit down to 7 nm.