Synthesis of ordered arrays of multiferroic NiFe2O4-Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 core-shell nanowires

A synthesis method was developed for producing core-shell nanowire arrays, which involved a combination of a modified sol-gel process, electrochemical deposition, and subsequent oxidization in anodized nanoporous alumina membranes. This method was applied to generate ordered arrays of one dimensional multiferroic NiFe2O4 core and Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 (PZT) shell nanostructures. Extensive microstructural, magnetic, and ferroelectric characterizations confirmed that the regular arrays of core-shell multiferroic nanostructures were composed of a spinel NiFe2O4 core and perovskite PZT shell. This synthesis method can be readily extended to prepare different core-shell nanowire arrays and is expected to pave the way for one dimensional core-shell nanowire arrays. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.