Synthesis of Ni nanoparticles by dc magnetron sputtering

Abstract

Magnetic materials have been used with grain sizes down to the nanoscale for longer than any other type of material. The biomedical applications cover from magnetic separation of specific biological entities from their native environment to drug delivery, hyperthermia treatments or MRI contrast enhancement [1]. There are many synthesis methods depending on the final applications of the magnetic nanoparticles [2]. Sputtering methods are less extensively used, maybe due to the low efficiency of the process, however these methods have the advantage of a good control on the composition and size of the particles. Research has focused mainly on Fe [3,4], Co [5] and FeCo alloys [6]. In this work we apply the dc magnetron sputtering technique to the growth of Ni nanoparticles.