Magnetic Alignment of Fluorescent Nanowires

Nickel nanowires prepared by electrochemical growth in alumina templates have been removed from their templates and functionalized with luminescent porphyrins. The nanowires response to magnetic fields was quantified using video microscopy. In viscous solvents, magnetic fields can be used to orient the nanowires; in mobile solvents, the nanowires form chains in a head-to-tail configuration when a small magnetic field is applied. The dynamics for chain formation have been quantitatively modeled. The results demonstrate a new approach for assembling nanowires.