Publication
We present a microscopic investigation of nanocomposite films of iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) magnetic nanowires (NWs) aligned into polymers, formed upon evapn. of solns. of acrylate polymer/magnetic nanoparticles under magnetic field (MF). The field causes the assembly of the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles along the direction of the MF lines, resulting in magnetic NWs embedded throughout the entire vol. of the polymer film. The SEM and the transmission electron microscopy studies show that the cylindrical-shaped NWs have ∼15-μm av. length and are isotropically distributed throughout the film. The study with the MF microscopy technique not only proves that the composed NWs are magnetic but also makes possible the magnetic study of each individual NW in a nondestructive way. In this way it becomes possible for the localized study of the magnetic properties alteration after the binding of various mols. onto individual NWs, opening up the way of using these films in sensor devices applied in various fields ranging from biol. to environmental purposes.