Magnetism of nanostructured hematite: from cultural heritage to fundamental properties

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2026 Open access

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Authors: Sawssen Slimani, Alberto Martinelli, Alexander Omelyanchik, Maryam Abdolrahimi, Elena Castagnotto, Pierfrancesco Maltoni, S. Laureti, G. Barucca, Nader Yaacoub, Federico Locardi, Arooj Ramzan, Laura Gaggero
+2 more Michele Ferretti, Davide Peddis
DOI: 10.1039/d5cp03945b
Cited by: 2
References: 49

Abstract

, laboratory-synthesized by an auto-combustion sol-gel method and commercially purchased hematite). All samples underwent thermal treatments, designed to reproduce color changes typical of hematite pigments in archaeological contexts. Through a combination of DC magnetization measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy, we demonstrated the possibility of differentiating the origin of hematite nanostructures based on their magnetic behavior. Interestingly, low-temperature NPD analysis revealed that the intensity of the magnetic peak (003) was partially suppressed but not completely extinguished as expected for a perfect antiferromagnetic alignment, which suggests a possible coexistence of weakly ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases in distinct domains below the Morin transition.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Iron oxide chemistry and applications Magnetic Properties and Synthesis of Ferrites Multiferroics and related materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
28
Issue
6
Pages
3963–3974
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN