Synthesis of ordered arrays of multiferroic NiFe2O4-Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 core-shell nanowires

A synthesis method was developed for producing core-shell nanowire arrays, which involved a combination of a modified sol-gel process, electrochemical deposition, and subsequent oxidization in anodized nanoporous alumina membranes. This method was applied to generate ordered arrays of one dimensional multiferroic NiFe2O4 core and Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) shell nanostructures. Extensive microstructural, magnetic, and ferroelectric characterizations confirmed that the regular arrays of core-shell multiferroic nanostructures were composed of a spinel NiFe2O4 core and perovskite PZT shell. This synthesis method can be readily extended to prepare different core-shell nanowire arrays and is expected to pave the way for one dimensional core-shell nanowire arrays.