Nano Commentary
Characterization of hybrid cobalt-porous silicon systems: protective effect of the Matrix in the metal oxidation
1 Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049, Spain
2 Departamento de Electrocerámica, Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV-CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
3 IMDEA Nanociencia, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
4 GTB, ETSIT Telecomunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
5 Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
6 Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan
Nanoscale Research Letters 2012, 7:495 doi:10.1186/1556-276X-7-495
Published: 2 September 2012Abstract
In the present work, the characterization of cobalt-porous silicon (Co-PSi) hybrid systems is performed by a combination of magnetic, spectroscopic, and structural techniques. The Co-PSi structures are composed by a columnar matrix of PSi with Co nanoparticles embedded inside, as determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The oxidation state, crystalline structure, and magnetic behavior are determined by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) and Alternating Gradient Field Magnetometry (AGFM). Additionally, the Co concentration profile inside the matrix has been studied by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). It is concluded that the PSi matrix can be tailored to provide the Co nanoparticles with extra protection against oxidation.
