Fabrication and characterization of a hybrid magnetic structure based on highly ordered metallic nanotube arrays

Abstract

Metallic nanotube arrays (MeNTAs) are used in a wide range of applications, including optoelectronic devices, drug delivery, and catalysis. This paper presents a hybrid MeNTA structure in which the nanotubes are filled with Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance their utility. The proposed fabrication scheme allows the adjustment of the magnetic properties and size of Fe3O4 NPs simply by altering the ratio of reducing agents during the hydrothermal synthesis process. Our research demonstrated that MeNTAs can be functionalized through the application of Fe3O4 magnetic NPs to create a hybrid magnetic structure of high resolution with specific magnetic properties. The vibrating sample magnetometry results revealed that the ferromagnetism of the proposed hybrid MeNTA/Fe3O4 structure was not as strong as that of the Fe3O4 NPs themselves; however, we provide conclusive evidence that the hybrid highly ordered MeNTA structure possesses magnetic properties.