Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Co Nanowires/PVDF Composites

Nanocomposite materials consisting of polymer and metallic nanowires (NWs) are promising candidates for numerous applications, including sensors, flexible electronics, and optical systems. Magnetic NWs combined with polyvinylidene trifluoroethylene (PVDF) polymer are one of the most intriguing combinations due to the possibility of realizing magnetoelectric properties with very strong mechanical coupling between piezoelectric and magnetostrictive phases. However, the studies of such compounds are rare, and the synthesis process is relatively complex and expensive, which limits their testing for real-life applications. In this letter, we simplify and optimize the synthesis process, so the precursor mixture of magnetic NWs and PVDF can be obtained both easily and in large quantity. The possibility of ordering NWs in PVDF by applying a strong magnetic field during solidification is demonstrated. As a result, an ordered Co NW/PVDF nanocomposite was successfully synthesized using scalable laboratory technology, which could also be transferred to other polymer/metallic NW systems.