Electrochemical synthesis and magnetic characterization of periodically modulated Co nanowires.

The synthesis of templates with modulated pore channels by combined mild and hard anodization processes is described. The hard anodization pulses, implemented during anodization, are controlled not only in time length and amplitude, but also in shape: square and exponential signals have been applied. Electrodeposition of Co is subsequently performed to obtain uniform and modulated diameter nanowire arrays. Square and exponential modulated diameter nanowires are imaged by scanning electron microscopy and hcp hexagonal polycrystalline structure is confirmed in all Co nanowires. Magnetic behavior strongly depends on nanowire shape and is interpreted considering the modification of magnetostatic interactions between wires induced by local stray fields from magnetic charges at the ends of the wider segments in modulated wires. As a consequence, magnetization processes under parallel and perpendicular field configurations denote the contribution of both thin and wide segments.

Continuous and nanostructured TiO2 films grown by dc sputtering magnetron.

The growth of Anatase nanostructured films using dc reactive magnetron sputtering and post-annealing treatment is reported. TiO2 has been deposited on Porous Anodic Alumina Films used as templates which were previously grown in phosphoric acid solution and etched to modify their pore diameters. This synthesis via results in the formation of vertically aligned and spatially ordered TiO2 nanostructures replicating the underlying template. Previously, the growth optimization of TiO2 thin films deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on flat silicon substrates was done. The crystalline structure and Ti in-depth concentration profile were determined by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, respectively. The surface morphology of the samples was explored by mean of a Field Emission Gun scanning electron microscope. Optical properties of the nanostructured samples were studied by using the reflectance spectra received in the UV-visible range. In these spectra different band gap values and complex light absorption features were observed.

Preparation and magnetic properties of cylindrical NiFe films and antidot arrays.

Continuous NiFe (Permalloy) cylindrical films and arrays of cylindrical NiFe antidots 7 nm thick have been prepared by sputtering onto cylindrical aluminum wires and onto wires anodized to form a porous anodic alumina layer. The antidots are arranged in a close-packed pattern determined by the hexagonal pore arrangement in the porous alumina, with period 103 nm and diameter 42 nm. Hysteresis loops were measured at different angles with respect to the cylinder axis and indicate an easy plane normal to the radius of the wire. The antidots enhance the coercivity compared to the continuous cylindrical film.

Patterning of rutile TiO2 surface by ion beam lithography through full-solid masks.

In this work we present and discuss the nanopatterning of rutile TiO(2) single crystal surfaces following their irradiation with energetic heavy ions through a stencil mask of Ni filled self-ordered porous anodic alumina. After etching in HF a corrugated surface morphology is obtained composed of parallel alternate furrows and ridges (or nanobars) 50 nm in diameter and with 100 nm pitch. In addition, isolated, but collapsed, TiO(2) nanorods are seen lying on the patterned surface. The stability of the nanopatterned surface under high temperatures treatments and crystalline properties are analyzed.

Continuous and Localized Mn Implantation of ZnO.

We present results derived from continuous and localized 35 keV (55)Mn(+) ion implantations into ZnO. Localized implantations were carried out by using self-ordered alumina membranes as masks leading to ordered arrays of implanted volumes on the substrate surfaces. Defects and vacancies in the small implantation volumes of ZnO were generated due to the implantation processes besides the creation of new phases. Rapid thermal annealing was applied in the case of continuous implantation. The samples were characterized by HRSEM, GIXRD, Raman spectroscopy and RBS/C. Magnetic characterization of the samples pointed out appreciable differences among the samples obtained by the different implantation methods. This fact was mainly attributed to the different volume/surface ratios present in the implanted zones as well as to the increase of Mn atom concentrations along the grain frontiers in the nanostructured surfaces. The samples also showed a ferromagnetic transition phase at temperature value higher than room temperature.

One-dimensional magnetopolymeric nanostructures with tailored sizes.

Ultra-high aspect ratio nanofibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and CoFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles (PVA/CoFe(2)O(4)) and moderate aspect ratio nanofibers composed of poly(vinyl chloride) and Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (PVC/Fe(3)O(4)) have been prepared. Magnetopolymeric one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures with any diameter and length can be prepared by template synthesis using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) followed by the replication methods presented in this work. These replication methods are very effective, and allow the nanomoulding of any polymer-nanoparticle 1D composite. A first magnetic characterization of the nanostructured composites reveals a modest magnetic anisotropy. The development of magnetopolymeric nanofibers with adjusted length and diameter opens new opportunities in a wide range of applications.

Self-organized magnetic nanowire arrays based on alumina and titania templates.

Densely packed arrays of magnetic nanowires have been synthesized by electrodeposition filling of nanopores in alumina and titania membranes formed by self-assembling during anodization process. Emphasis is made on the control of the production parameters leading to ordering degree and lattice parameter of the array as well as nanowires diameter and length. Structural, morphological and magnetic properties exhibited by nanowire arrays have been studied for several nanowire compositions, different ordering degree and for different nanowire aspect ratios. The magnetic behaviour of nanowires array is governed by the balance between different energy contributions: shape anisotropy of individual nanowires, the magnetostatic interaction of dipolar origin among nanowires, and magnetocrystalline and magnetoelastic anisotropies induced by the pattern templates. These novel nanocomposites, based on ferromagnetic nanowires embedded in anodic nanoporous templates, are becoming promising candidates for technological applications such as functionalised arrays for magnetic sensing, ultrahigh density magnetic storage media or spin-based electronic devices.