Electrochemically synthesized polyethylene glycol coated ferromagnetic nanowire arrays

• Methods are reported for the direct fabrication of PEG coated nanowires.
• Effective with template-assisted Fe, Co and Ni electrochemical nanowire growth.
• Polymer coating increases stability of high aspect ratio nanowires.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated Fe, Co, and Ni nanowires (NWs) were fabricated by a template assisted electrochemical deposition method. In this process, polymer and metal ions were deposited simultaneously at room temperature. The effects of different pore diameters of the anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, concentration of electrolytes, and applied current on the growth of the magnetic wires were studied. The polycrystalline polymer-coated ferromagnetic-nanowire arrays were found to have high coercivity with PEG not affecting the magnetic properties. Relative to uncoated metal nanowires, the outer polymer coating strengthens high aspect ratio wires, preventing them from breaking as easily.

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