Facile synthesis of nickel nanowires under magnetic field

Nickel nanowires were prepared by a magnetic field assisted method. An external magnetic field was applied to direct the growth of nanowires and to avoid overgrowing in diameter. The microstructure of the prepared Ni nanowires was examined by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The characterised results indicated that the application of an external weak magnetic field resulted in the self-alignment of Ni nanoparticles with a preferential orientation and led to the formation of Ni nanowires of 95±10 nm in diameter. The present study could provide a facile route to prepare Ni nanowires in a large scale.