Ni-based composite microstructures fabricated by femtosecond laser reductive sintering of NiO/Cr mixed nanoparticles

Ni-based composite micropatterns were fabricated by the femtosecond laser reductive sintering of NiO/Cr mixed nanoparticles. A NiO/Cr mixed nanoparticle solution including ethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone was irradiated with focused femtosecond laser pulses. The X-ray diffraction spectra of the fabricated micropatterns indicated that NiO nanoparticles were well reduced under atmospheric conditions in the laser scanning speed range of 5-15mm/s. In contrast, micropatterns including NiO were formed at a laser scanning speed of 1mm/s, indicating that the reduced Ni was reoxidized by overheating. These results were supported by those of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis and the electrical resistivity of the micropatterns. The compositions such as Ni, NiO, Cr2O3, and Ni-Cr in the fabricated micropatterns depended on laser scanning speed. The selective fabrication of a ferromagnetic free microgear from the substrate and an axis fixed on the substrate was demonstrated by controlling the laser scanning speed. The fabrication process for Ni-based composite microstructures is useful for the fabrication of ferromagnetic microdevices. (C) 2017 The Japan Society of Applied Physics