Chemistry Project Abstract
ELECTROCHEMICAL FABRICATION OF COBALT NANOROD ARRAYS IN POROUS ALUMINUM OXIDE TEMPLATES
Presenter:
Rohan Bhobe, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; rbhobe4@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Dr. Vinayak Dravid, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive 1133 Cook Hall, Evanston, IL, 60208-3108; 847-467-1363; v-dravid@northwestern.edu
Abstract:
Synthesis and fabrication of nanostructure "building blocks" constitute the primary challenge (or an opportunity) to harness the promise of emerging nanoscience/nanotechnology. Linear, one-dimensional forms of nanostructures (e.g., wires, whiskers, rods, tubes etc.) are one class of nanostructure "building blocks," which exhibit unique physical, chemical and electromagnetic properties which provide considerable scientific excitement, with great technological implications. We have made considerable progress in synthesis of one-dimensional magnetic nanostructures using a "template"-based approach. We have developed and implemented a procedure for fabricating cobalt nanorods within the pores of an anodic aluminum oxide template by DC electrodeposition. The aluminum oxide membrane is removed from the aluminum substrate upon which it is grown and sputter-coated with a thin layer of silver to increase conductivity. By altering experimental variables (e.g. deposition voltage, deposition solution, etc.), a range of different nanorods can be prepared. This approach allows for easier production of cobalt nanorods for applications such as ultra high-density data storage, magneto-diagnostics, therapeutics, sensing etc.