The influence of the sample dispersion on a solid surface in the thermal spin transition of [Fe(pz)Pt(CN)4] nanoparticles.

The thermal spin transition of [Fe(pz)Pt(CN)4], pz = pyrazine, nanoparticles is compared with the one of the microcrystalline powder by magnetic susceptibility measurements, absorption spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) using synchrotron radiation. The thermal transition shows less cooperativity when decreasing the size due to the reduction of cluster formation. Surprisingly, the dispersion of the nanoparticles on a surface entails important effects on the spin crossover properties of the system. These effects are simulated and explained within the framework of the mechanoelastic model.