Integrating spin-crossover nanoparticles with silver nanowires: toward magnetic and conductive bifunctional nanomaterials

AgNWs@SCO nanocomposites were constructed by in situ growing spin-crossover (SCO) nanoparticles on silver nanowires (AgNWs). The obtained AgNWs@[ Fe(Htrz)(2)(trz)](BF4) (AgNWs@SCO-1) and AgNWs@Fe(pz)[Pt(CN)4] (AgNWs@SCO-2) nanomaterials were characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM and TEM. SEM images show that SCO NPs grow on the surface of the AgNWs, and their size and shape can be tuned by controlling the amount of added iron(II) salt. The magnetic measurements exhibit hysteresis loops with 45 K (T-c up arrow = 385 K, T-c down arrow = 340 K) for SCO-1 and 31 K (T-c up arrow = 290 K, T-c down arrow = 259 K) for SCO-2. It is interesting that both AgNWs@SCO nanocomposites retain spin-crossover behaviour with hysteresis loops with 50 K (T-c up arrow = 395 K and T-c down arrow = 345 K) for AgNWs@SCO-1 and 34 K (T-c up arrow = 289 K and T-c down arrow = 255 K) for AgNWs@SCO-2. The hot pressing method is used to transfer AgNWs@SCO nanocomposites to flexible PET substrates for a four-probe conductivity test. The conductivities of AgNWs@SCO-1 and AgNWs@SCO-2 are consistent with that of the individual AgNWs over the 100-350 K range, indicating that AgNWs@SCO nanocomposites exhibit good conductivity. The combination of both spin-crossover properties and conductive properties in AgNWs@SCO materials provides a great prospect for their application in devices.