Nickel nanofibers and nanowires: Elaboration by reduction in polyol medium assisted by external magnetic field

Nickel nanowires, with diameter 250 nm and a length of several microns, were prepared by the polyol process (chemical reduction) while an external magnetic field of 1.4 T has been applied during preparation. This combination has allowed the elaboration of Ni nanowires with a yield of over 90%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that these nanowires crystallize with the face-centered-cubic structure. Magnetic static measurements showed the effect on the nanoparticles’ morphology of the external magnetic field applied during the synthesis. They also allowed studying the effect of the external magnetic field on the magnetic properties of nanowires as a function of their orientation. When nanowires are aligned parallel with magnetic field, the hysteresis loop obtained is very open with a coercivity field (Hc) value of 385 Oe and a high remanence to saturation ratio Mr/Ms of 0.85.

Research highlights► Ni nanofibers, nanowires are obtained by reduction in polyol and applying external field. ► Their diameter becomes sub-micrometric and their length reaches several micrometers. ► Magnetic characterization confirms such shape anisotropy.