Synthesis and Magnetic Characterization of Metal-filled Double-sided Porous Silicon Samples

Magnetically interacting low dimensional Ni-nanostructures within porous silicon

Electrodeposition of ferromagnetic metals, a common method to fabricate magnetic nanostructures, is used for the incorporation of Ni structures into the pores of porous silicon templates. The porous silicon is fabricated in various morphologies with average pore-diameters between 40 and 95 nm and concomitant pore-distances between 60 and 40 nm. The metal nanostructures are deposited with different geometries as spheres, ellipsoids or wires influenced by the deposition process parameters. Furthermore small Ni-particles with diameters between 3 and 6 nm can be deposited on the walls of the porous silicon template forming a metal tube. Analysis of this tube-like arrangement by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the distribution of the Ni-particles is quite narrow, which means that the distance between the particles is smaller than 10 nm. Such a close arrangement of the Ni-particles assures magnetic interactions between them. Due to their size these small Ni-particles are superparamagnetic but dipolar coupling between them results in a ferromagnetic behavior of the whole system. Thus a semiconducting/ferromagnetic hybrid material with a broad range of magnetic properties can be fabricated. Furthermore this composite is an interesting candidate for silicon based applications and the compatibility with today's process technology.

Magnetic Nanoparticles Embedded in a Silicon Matrix

This paper represents a short overview of nanocomposites consisting of magnetic nanoparticles incorporated into the pores of a porous silicon matrix by two different methods. On the one hand, nickel is electrochemically deposited whereas the nanoparticles are precipitated on the pore walls. The size of these particles is between 2 and 6 nm. These particles cover the pore walls and form a tube-like arrangement. On the other hand, rather well monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles, of 5 and 8 nm respectively, are infiltrated into the pores. From their size the particles would be superparamagnetic if isolated but due to magnetic interactions between them, ordering of magnetic moments occurs below a blocking temperature and thus the composite system displays a ferromagnetic behavior. This transition temperature of the nanocomposite can be varied by changing the filling factor of the particles within the pores. Thus samples with magnetic properties which are variable in a broad range can be achieved, which renders this composite system interesting not only for basic research but also for applications, especially because of the silicon base material which makes it possible for today's process technology.