Nickel nanobrush platform for a magnetic field-assisted electrochemical response enhancement

A single-step electrochemical procedure to synthesize a brush-like platform (composed of a nickel nanowire array attached to a nickel continuous layer acting as a solid base, is described. Room temperature hysteresis properties of this brush-like architecture (nanobrush) and those of the individual components (nanowires and layer) are determined. It is shown that the direction of the nanobrush magnetic easy axis may be tailored, being also possible to control the magnetic system's coercivity and remanence. The electrochemical response and the catalytic activity of a Ni nanobrush towards the redox probes [Fe(CN)(6)](4-/3-) and ethanol were evaluated in the presence and absence of an applied magnetic field. The external field strongly affects the system's behavior by enhancing the electrode charge-transfer response, even at fields as low as 6 mT. This improvement was further investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy studies. It is concluded that the enhanced electrochemical charge-transfer process of the Ni nanobrush electrode, with a magnetic field applied along the Ni nanowires axis, arises from a larger electroactive area. (C) 2022 Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

A single-step electrochemical procedure for synthesizing a brush-like platform and studying its hysteresis properties and electrochemical response is described in this study. It is demonstrated that the direction of the magnetic easy axis of the brush-like architecture can be tailored, and the coercivity and remanence of the magnetic system can be controlled. The presence of an applied magnetic field enhances the electrode charge-transfer response of the Ni nanobrush, which is attributed to a larger electroactive area.