Electrical, magnetic, and corrosion resistance properties of TiO2 nanotubes filled with NiFe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ quantum dots and Ni-Fe nanoalloy

• Published in: Applied nanoscience 2013-06, Vol.3 (3), p.241
• Main Authors: Bahgat, Mohamed, Farghali, Ahmed A, Moustafa, Ahmed F, Khedr, Mohamed H, Mohassab-ahmed, Mohassab Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2190-5509; 2190-5517
• DOI: 10.1007/s13204-012-0122-8

This work was carried out as an integral part of a project aiming to improve the catalytic, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties of synthesized TiO2NTs filled with metal ferrites. TiO2 nanotubes in the anatase-phase (TiO2NTs) were prepared using a hydrothermal method followed by ion exchange and phase transformation. The obtained TiO2NTs were filled with NiFe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ quantum dots (QDs) and then reacted at 600 °C in a reducing atmosphere to produce TiO2NTs filled with Ni-Fe nanoalloy. The effect of the TiO2NTs' coating on the dissolution rate of Ni-Fe nanoalloy in 0.5 M HCl solution was monitored chemically using a weight-loss technique that was performed at different temperatures. The TiO2NTs' coating exhibited high protective performance and amazing corrosion resistance. The magnetic properties of the TiO2NTs filled with NiFe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ QDs and Ni-Fe nanoalloy compacts were analyzed by a vibrating sample magnetometer. The electrical conductivity-temperature dependence of anatase TiO2NTs, anatase TiO2NTs filled with NiFe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ quantum dots, anatase TiO2NTs filled with Ni-Fe nanoalloy, and NiFe^sub 2^O^sub 4^ was measured in the temperature range of 25-850 °C. The conductivity increased with temperature, indicating the semiconductor-like nature of the sample. During cooling, the conductivity retains values higher than that obtained during heating.