SQUID magnetometry combined with in situ cyclic voltammetry: A case study of tunable magnetism of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles

SQUID magnetometry combined with in situ cyclic voltammetry by means of a three-electrode chemical cell opens up novel potentials for studying correlations between electrochemical processes and magnetic behaviour. The combination of these methods shows that the charge-induced variation of the magnetic moment of nanocrystalline maghemite (-Fe2O3) of about 4% strongly depends on the voltage regime of charging. Upon positive charging, the charge-induced variation of the magnetic moment is suppressed due to adsorption layers. The pronounced charge-sensitivity of the magnetic moment in the regime of negative charging may either be associated with a redox reaction or with charge-induced variations of the magnetic anisotropy or magnetoelastic coupling.