Superatom paramagnetism enables gold nanocluster heating in applied radiofrequency fields.

The Au102(pMBA)44 nanocluster becomes a superatom paramagnet after chemical oxidation. Solutions of paramagnetic Au102(pMBA)44 heat in an oscillating magnetic field component of an RF field, but not in the electric component. Combined, these experiments suggest that paramagnetic Au102(pMBA)44 heats through interactions of spin magnetic moment with an external oscillating magnetic field. These results may clarify some current controversy regarding gold nanoparticle heating in radiofrequency fields.