Characterization of LiCoO nanoparticle suspensions by single collision events.

Transient electrochemical experiments associated with the collisions between hydrothermally synthesized LiCoO2 (LCO) nanoparticles/aggregates of different sizes and a polarized gold ultramicroelectrode (UME) were used as a new additive-free analytical tool applied to Li ion insertion compounds. The size of the LCO nanoparticles/aggregates, ranging from 75 to 450 nm, the diffusion coefficient of the LCO nanoparticles/aggregates in suspension (∼8 × 10-9 cm2 s-1), and the Li ion diffusion coefficient within crystalline LCO nanoparticles (∼1.3 × 10-11 cm2 s-1) were estimated from single collision events.

Surface-Driven Magnetotransport in Perovskite Nanocrystals.

Unique insights into magnetotransport in 20 nm ligand-free La Sr MnO perovskite nanocrystals of nearly perfect crystalline quality reveal a chemically altered 0.8 nm thick surface layer that triggers exceptionally large magnetoresistance at low temperature, independently of the spin polarization of the ferromagnetic core. This discovery shows how the nanoscale impacts magnetotransport in a material widely spread as electrode in hybrid spintronic devices.