abstract
A new concept to prepare nanocomposite thin films is explored. Two chemical-based bottom-up steps are used to design functional films including (i) the block copolymer-assisted self-assembly of a porous matrix; and (ii) the impregnation of nanoparticles from a ferroic phase into the pores by supercritical CO2 deposition. Porous nanopatterned BaTiO3 thin films with ca. 17 nm thickness are prepared using a cost-effective sol-gel solution containing a block copolymer and evaporation-induced self-assembly methodology. Hexagonally arranged pores with a diameter of ca. 95 nm, running perpendicular to the substrate, are filled with Ni nanoparticles using the supercritical fluid deposition technique, obtained from the reduction of hydrated nickel nitrate in a supercritical CO2-ethanol mixture at 250 degrees C. Small Ni nanoparticles of 21 +/- 5 nm size are selectively deposited inside the pores of the porous matrix. Structural and magnetic properties prove the coexistence of both phases.
keywords
CARBON-DIOXIDE SOLUTION; NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS; REACTIVE DEPOSITION; FLUID DEPOSITION; NICKEL FILMS; METAL; SOLUBILITY; NANOPOROSITY; FABRICATION; SURFACES
subject category
Materials Science; Physics
authors
Castro, A; Morere, J; Cabanas, A; Ferreira, LP; Godinho, M; Ferreira, P; Vilarinho, PM
our authors
acknowledgements
This work was developed in the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (Ref. FCT UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when applicable co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. The authors are grateful to FCT and POPH/FSE for doctoral fellowship SFRH/BD/67121/2009 and investigator fellowship IF/00327/2013. This work was also supported by the centre grant BioISI (Ref. UID/MULTI/04046/2013) from FCT/MCTES/PIDDAC, Portugal. A. Cabanas and J. Morere acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), research project CTQ2013-41781. J. Morere thanks MINECO for his support through a predoctoral grant.