Electrodeposited Ni-Based Magnetic Mesoporous Films as Smart Surfaces for Atomic Layer Deposition: An “All-Chemical” Deposition Approach toward 3D Nanoengineered Composite Layers

Abstract

Mesoporous Ni and Cu-Ni (CuNi and CuNi in at. %) films, showing a three-dimensional (3D) porous structure and tunable magnetic properties, are prepared by electrodeposition from aqueous surfactant solutions using micelles of P-123 triblock copolymer as structure-directing entities. Pores between 5 and 30 nm and dissimilar space arrangements (continuous interconnected networks, circular pores, corrugated mesophases) are obtained depending on the synthetic conditions. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the Cu-Ni films have crystallized in the face-centered cubic structure, are textured, and exhibit certain degree of phase separation, particularly those with a higher Cu content. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to conformally coat the mesopores of CuNi film with amorphous AlO, rendering multiphase "nano-in-meso" metal-ceramic composites without compromising the ferromagnetic response of the metallic scaffold. From a technological viewpoint, these 3D nanoengineered composite films could be appealing for applications like magnetically actuated micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), voltage-driven magneto-electric devices, capacitors, or as protective coatings with superior strength and tribological performance.

Electrodeposition of Mesoporous Ni-Rich Ni-Pt Films for Highly Efficient Methanol Oxidation

“…The codeposition of polymers could benefit the formation of decorated or even mesoporous architectures. Previous studies have demonstrated the codeposition of metals and spherical polymeric micelles present in the electrolyte, which prompted the formation of mesoporous metallic structures following the dissolution of the polymers [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. After all, the surface charge of polymeric micelles is a key factor for attraction to the working electrode’s surface, as well as for the selection of the system’s constituents.…”

Tailoring magnetic and mechanical properties of mesoporous single-phase Ni–Pt films by electrodeposition

“…25 Here, the synthesis of Ni-Pt thin films is accomplished using the well-described mechanism of micelle-assisted electrodeposition to introduce porosity. [26][27][28] In this one-step deposition process, a block copolymer forms micelles when its concentration in water is above the critical micellar concentration (cmc), and the metal ions assemble at the exterior (hydro-philic) part of the micelles. The latter are thus co-deposited when the metal ions are reduced at the working electrode.…”

A facile template-assisted electrodeposition approach to porous Cu/Cu2O nanowires

“…A so template consisting of spherical micelles of di-or triblock copolymers (e.g., polystyrene-block-poly(oxyethylene), known as KLE, or poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly (propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol), known as P-123) appears to be more suitable for PN dual-template assisted electrofabrication owing to simultaneous metal deposition and micelle assembly in liquid without involving any gas phase. 12,13 Very recently, we demonstrated the electrodeposition of mesoporous Ni and CuNi lms with tunable pore alignment and morphology from an aqueous surfactant electrolyte using P-123 as the structure-directing entity. 13 P-123 also has been applied to control metal growth inside deep channels of alumina membranes.…”

“…12,13 Very recently, we demonstrated the electrodeposition of mesoporous Ni and CuNi lms with tunable pore alignment and morphology from an aqueous surfactant electrolyte using P-123 as the structure-directing entity. 13 P-123 also has been applied to control metal growth inside deep channels of alumina membranes. 14 However, instead of forming PNs, nanotube was obtained, due to alumina exhibits outstanding adsorption ability to P-123 micelles.…”