Figure 11: Metallic rods with submicron diameters
Here, by performing sequential electrodeposition of multiple components with a porous template, we generate nanorods with alternating sections of gold and nickel. The gold provides a surface that can be functionalized with thiol chemistry, while the nickel allows the nanorods to be manipulated with an external magnetic field. The rods naturally self-assemble into hexagonal bundles through magnetic interactions: the magnetic forces polarize the disk-like section within each rod and promote lateral interactions that direct the self-assembly of the rods.