Low-density core-shell composite hollow microspheres with tunable magnetic properties

Low-density (about 0.9 g/cm³) composite core-shell hollow microspheres with tunable magnetic properties were fabricated by Ni-Fe-P deposition on hollow glass microspheres (HGM) with modified electroless plating process. The effects of mole ratio of Fe²⁺/Ni²⁺, concentration of the reducer and pH value of the solution on the magnetic properties of the products were investigated. In conclusion, the increase in the mole ratio of Fe²⁺/Ni²⁺ and pH value of the solution could improve the soft magnetic properties of composite microspheres remarkably, while the increase in the concentration of NaH₂PO₂ had the opposite effect. The as-obtained metallic shells were amorphous and the crystallization got better with increased annealing temperature after plating. In addition, the saturation intensity of the composite microspheres was enhanced monotonically by increasing the annealing temperature. This work provided a facile and effective strategy to fabricate core-shell composite hollow microspheres with tailored magnetic properties.