New functional core-shell composite nanomaterials with iron-cobalt and iron-nickel cores: preparation, properties and influence of oxidizing atmosphere and temperature on the shell growth (NanoCoreShell)
Funding body: National Science Centre (NCN)
Start date: 29 September 2017
Duration: 36 months
The main objective of this research project is the development of a manufacturing technology for the new one-dimensional functional core-shell nanocomposites with iron-cobalt (Fe-Co) and iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) bimetal nanoalloys as the core materials as well as their comprehensive structural characterization. The raw materials will be produced using an innovative synthesis method involving a simple chemical reduction reaction of a precursor containing magnetic metal ions placed in an external magnetic field. This will lead to generation of a core of the nanomaterial which will then be subject to a high temperature oxidation (up to 1000 ºC). The oxidation process will result in the formation of a shell (an oxide layer). Hence, the whole material will exhibit a metal-metal oxide composite structure.
The previous experimental studies have shown that the synthesis method mentioned above performs well for the preparation of iron, nickel and cobalt nanowires. However, it is worth noting that up to now it has not been applied to fabricate the binary metal alloy nanowires such as iron-cobalt or iron-nickel. Therefore, the first stage of the planned research will consist in the development of a manufacture technology for the nanowires in question for different contents of iron-cobalt and iron-nickel, using a simple reduction reaction in an external magnetic field. Moreover, no information can be found in the existing literature about the stability of binary metal nanoalloys against oxidation and the resulting formation of core-shell or core-void-shell nanostructures. Hence, the second stage of the project will be focused on the high temperature oxidation process of the nanomaterials manufactured in the first stage in atmospheres containing various amount of oxygen in order to verify their structural changes.