Self assembled nanoparticulate CO:PT for data storage applications

Nanoscale CoPt grains were prepared within protein shells from aqueous reactants. A series of particles with varying Co:Pt ratios was used to explore the transition from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. TEM and electron diffraction confirmed ordered fct CoPt phases with an average grain size of 4.1 nm. Magnetic characterization was performed at room temperature using VSM. The use of this system to prepare high-density recording media is discussed.