Basque scientists in cooperation with the colleagues from Japan and Australia in the chemical way have given magnetic properties to atoms of gold, silver and copper, informs portal Basque Research referring to an article in magazine Nanoletters.
Gold, silver and copper do not have magnetic properties in the nature (as against iron, for example).

Researchers, nevertheless, claim that they have managed to obtain gold nanoparticles covered with thiols (sulfur-bearing organic compounds) with the help of controlled chemical reaction. These nanoparticles behave as constant (and rather strong) magnets at room-temperature measurement. The same effect was achieved with the particles of silver and copper covered with dodecantiol.

Researchers consider that this method can be used to give magnetic properties to other non-magnetic elements. They emphasize, that new magnets - one of the smallest ever created magnets - keep the properties at room and higher temperatures. This is the historical moment in studying of magnetism, marks Basque Research.

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