Submicron-sized hybrid SiO₂-Ni powders produced with the sol-gel method

Magnetic powders based on metallic nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in submicron-sized spherical silica shells have been obtained and investigated. The nickel clusters were produced by the exploding wire method. The silica shells were prepared via the modified sol-gel Stöber method, and the metallic particles were entrapped by their occlusion during silica powder formation. The obtained hybrid materials were investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetic, and ζ potential techniques. The obtained materials can potentially be employed in such applications as magnetically controlled drug vectors or electromagnetic field shielding.