Magnetic Alignment of Fluorescent Nanowires

TLDR

Nickel nanowires were electrochemically grown in alumina templates, extracted, functionalized with luminescent porphyrins, and their magnetic‑field response was quantified by video microscopy. In viscous solvents magnetic fields align the nanowires, whereas in mobile solvents they assemble into head‑to‑tail chains under small fields, with the chain‑formation dynamics quantitatively modeled, demonstrating a novel nanowire assembly method.

Abstract

Nickel nanowires prepared by electrochemical growth in alumina templates have been removed from their templates and functionalized with luminescent porphyrins. The nanowires response to magnetic fields was quantified using video microscopy. In viscous solvents, magnetic fields can be used to orient the nanowires; in mobile solvents, the nanowires form chains in a head-to-tail configuration when a small magnetic field is applied. The dynamics for chain formation have been quantitatively modeled. The results demonstrate a new approach for assembling nanowires.