Electrochemical and Top‐Down 3D Ion‐Carving to Change Magnetic Properties. (15th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Jian; Deng, Da
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 25:Number 39(2015)
• Page Start: 6250
• Page End: 6256
• Publication Date: 2015-09-15
• Subjects: 3D structures, electrochemistry -- magnetism -- structure–property relationships -- ion‐carving -- nanostructures; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201502916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract : It is challenging to develop new top‐down approaches to tailor particles into subnanometer size structures on a large scale to further reveal their structure‐dependent physicochemical properties. Here, we demonstrate a non‐conventional, electrochemical, 3D ion‐carving process to tailor particles into subscale flower‐like nanostructures at room temperature. The technology is based on the electrochemical insertion/extraction of lithium ions as a carving "knife" to carve the single‐crystalline particle precursor into higher‐order, flower‐like nanostructures with hexagonal nanopetals as the building units. Our study demonstrates that the morphology of the as‐carved, flower‐like nanostructures can be controlled by the electrochemical parameters, such as the current density and the number of cycles. Particularly interesting is that dramatically different magnetic properties can be achieved depending on the morphology through careful tuning by the electrochemical ion‐carving process. The as‐carved, flower‐like particles may find many important applications, including magnetic nanodevices. Our approach, in principle, is applicable to prepare various kinds of 3D‐structured materials with different compositions. Abstract : Electrochemical ion‐carving is demonstrated as a nanomachining approach for the top‐down creation of highly‐ordered nanostructures from microparticle precursors, using Fe2 O3 as a model. The battery‐derived flower‐like Fe2 O3 nanostructures show interesting magnetic properties that are significantly different from the precursor Fe2 O3 rhombohedra particles.