Magnetophoretic deposition of nanocomposites

摘要

This communication reports the novel idea of using a magnetic field gradient to hold magnetic nanoparticles at desired densities in a fixed location (e.g., on an electrode surface), while metal atoms are deposited electrochemically in the interstices between them. Using it, nanocomposites consisting of γ-Fe_2O_3 nanoparticles (with a mean size of about 40 nm) in a copper metal matrix were reproducibly fabricated, with particle volume fractions ranging from 0.2/100 to 50/100. These nanocomposites, ceramic magnetic particles in a conductive metal matrix, are expected to have unusual or enhanced mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties.