SYNTHESIS, SINTERING, AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF NANOPHASE CR2O3

Nanophase Cr2O3 with an initial average grain diameter of 10 nm has be en synthesized by the gas-condensation method followed by in-situ cons olidation. The sintering behavior was studied and found to be consider ably enhanced over that of conventional grain size material. The nanop hase powder exhibited characteristic superparamagnetic behavior, in bo th its powder and consolidated forms, although bulk Cr2O3 is known to be antiferromagnetic. Sintering and grain growth reduced the superpara magnetism, but did not result in reversion to bulk antiferromagnetism.