Magnetic Behaviour of Mn-Stearate Single-Molecule Magnets Immobilized on the Surface of 300 nm Spherical Silica Nanoparticles.

The magnetic behaviour of Mn 12 -stearate single-molecule magnets (SMMs) ([ Mn 12 O 12 ( CH 3 ( CH 2 ) 16 CO 2 ) 16 ] · 2 CH 3 COOH · 4 H 2 O ) on the surface of 300 nm spherical silica nanoparticles were investigated. The SMMs were bonded at the silica surface with the assumed number of anchoring points, which influenced on their degree of freedom and distribution. In order to check the properties of Mn 12 -stearate molecules separated on the silica surface, and check their interactions, the samples containing four different concentration of spacers per single anchoring unit and variously bonded Mn 12 -stearate particles were prepared.