We have synthesized firework-like Co2P nanostructures using a simple and reliable thermal decomposition route with the precursors, triphenyl phosphine and cobalt acetylacetonate, in oleylamine. The optimized reaction temperature is within a narrow window around 280 _C. The nanostructures have a firework-like morphology with nanoneedles growing out of a center core. The nanoneedles are single crystals with clean surfaces, about 200 nm in length, and a tapering tip less than 10 nm in diameter. These nanostructures exhibit Curie–Weiss PM behavior with the effective moment determined as 2.46 mB per FU. Based on the synthesis designs with detailed characterizations on the intermediates at different stages of the phase formation, the growth mechanism of the firework-like Co2P nanostructures is proposed. It is feasible to apply this method of synthesis for some of the other transition-metal phosphide nanostructures.

TbMnO3 thin films with different crystallographic orientations were deposited epitaxially on LaAlO3 [100] and SrTiO3 [100] single crystal substrates by using pulsed laser deposition. Magnetization measurements were performed along the [110], [_110], and [001] directions of the films. Obvious magnetic anisotropy and low temperature ferromagnetism were found. Transitions at T_10, 32, 120, and 125K along different directions are observed. The susceptibility anomalies, remarkably anisotropic, are discussed on the frame of the domain wall and strain-induced distortion. Particularly, the lattice mismatch and the anisotropic thermal expansion between the films and substrates are likely responsible for the distortion behaviors.