Ferromagnetic Fe2O3 nanopatterns prepared using dip-pen lithography

Ferromagnetic Fe2O3 nanorings and nanorods were deposited on an SiO2/Si substrate by dip-pen lithography using an iron nitrate Fe(NO3)3·9H2O solution. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) studies have shown that ferromagnetic Fe2O3 nanorings and nanorods have in-plane, oriented, and magnetic domain structures. In particular, nanorings have the vortex magnetization state, not the onion state. Their small-size fabrication and stable magnetic properties may suggest future applicability for next-generation magnetic media memory devices.