Thanks Jabadurai. You are right when you say that the magnetic performance or properties of these hybrids were even less compared to the non-lanthanide loaded counterparts. There are reports to the contrary too. A nice little review on the topic came up last year, Accounts of Chemical Research, 2011, vol 44 (#5), 322 - 331. Inclusion of lanthanides in magnetite may not necessarily increase magnetic susceptibility but, I think pose an unique opportunity to study the influence of magnetic field on the optical transitions with Δn≠1 and ΔM≠0. Effective transition probabilities of such transitions have atypical relationship with total # of 4f electrons and does not match with the trend of magnetic susceptibility (see JACS, 2009, vol. 131 (#18) , 6328–6329) -- in particular interest is the perceived enhancement of these transition probabilities inside a crystal field. I have previously dealt with lanthanide substituted magnetites synthesized by one other group, but upon closer inspection with EELS and TEM, looked to me they are more of a physical mixture of two different oxides rather than a true substitution and did not live up to its potential in magneto optic effects.

I dont really mind the medium or how it is synthesized, could be aqueous or non-aquous media, as at the end I would strip it and functionalize with polymer to put it in devices. If you could point me towards (your) relevant publication or thesis where i can find necessary details and I can take a look at the particles you made, I will be very thankful.

Dr. Gangopadhyay: Recently we had been very successful in synthesis of lanthanide doped Sr-Ferrite nanoparticles and nanocomposiets. We have synthesized Sr-Ferrites via autocombustion technique with controlled lanthanide and non-metal doping. Do let me know if you are interested.

Sanjay Mishra

These are certainly interesting compositions. I will contact you offline if that's ok. Thanks. Palash

You are very welcome.