Facile synthesis and magnetic study of Ni@polyamide 66 coaxial nanotube arrays

Ni@polyamide 66 (PA66) core/shell coaxial double-layer nanotube arrays have been prepared in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide templates (AAO). The shell of PA66 nanotubes were formed first and then served as templates to deposit Ni nanotubes used as the core. The morphology, structures of the obtained arrays were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of this unique coaxial nanotube structure was confirmed by SEM and TEM images and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We further explored the magnetic properties of the obtained coaxial nanotube arrays with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and found that Ni@PA66 coaxial nanotubes exhibited higher remanence ratio than that of Ni nanotubes. These Ni@PA66 coaxial nanotubes are promising to be used as templates to fill in other materials. - Highlights: • Ni@PA66 coaxial nanotubes are prepared successfully with PA66 nanotubes obtained first and then Ni nanotubes were deposited in PA66 nanotubes. • The magnetic property of Ni@PA66 coaxial nanotubes is better than that of Ni nanotubes. • Ni@PA66 coaxial nanotubes can be used as templates to fill in other materials.