Issue 32, 2012

Large-scale highly ordered arrays of freestanding magnetic nanowires

Abstract

Template-based techniques using anodic alumina oxide (AAO) templates provide cost-effective processes to fabricate metallic nanostructure arrays for diverse device applications. In this article, we demonstrate an innovative and reproducible fabrication method for realizing highly ordered arrays of freestanding Ni nanowires perpendicular to substrates. Using a multi-step process combining electrochemical perforation, chemical etching and cathodic polarization to the barrier layer of the AAO templates, large-scale (about 775 μm2) and well-aligned Ni nanowire arrays were achieved without wire agglomeration, and the length of the nanowires can reach more than 2 μm. The regularity of the nanowire array has been quantitatively analyzed and the results confirm that the regularity of the AAO template has been completely transferred to the nanowire arrays. Moreover, the structural features of the fabricated Ni nanowires are highly regular and spatially uniform concerning the homogeneous length and the monodisperse diameter; meanwhile both the length and the diameter of the nanowires are tunable. These advantageous features of the freestanding Ni nanowire arrays make them good candidate structures for device applications such as biological sensors and high-density magnetic recording media.

Graphical abstract: Large-scale highly ordered arrays of freestanding magnetic nanowires

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
21 May 2012
Accepted
19 Jun 2012
First published
22 Jun 2012

J. Mater. Chem., 2012,22, 16627-16632

Large-scale highly ordered arrays of freestanding magnetic nanowires

N. Winkler, J. Leuthold, Y. Lei and G. Wilde, J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 16627 DOI: 10.1039/C2JM33224H

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements