Development of Nanotemplates and Nanomagnetic Materials for Data Storage Applications

Materials engineered on the nanoscale level currently draw much attention due to the variety of applications derived not only from their minimized size, but also from the unique physical properties that set them apart from bulk materials. Historically, the nanoscale has been used for over a hundred years. However, with the currently available instruments, scientists now have the capabilities to observe what is happening at the nanoscale. This enables a better understanding that leads to improved design and control of nanoscale materials, ultimately leading to new applications. Particularly, research and development of magnetic devices for data storage applications has made significant technological impacts for the past four decades. Our society has greatly benefited from the significant downsizing and increased performance of data storage technology. To improve data storage technology further, there are two approaches: (1) develop new materials or (2) determine improved processes to utilize known materials.
In this study, a new fabrication process for generating nanoscale patterns in polymers is explored (Chapter 2 and 3), and a new magnetic material is developed by the functionalization of graphene (Chapter 4). The fabrication process can produce 40 nm openings of hexagonal in a polymer, which can be used as a mask to pattern other materials or as molds for filling other materials inside. This patterning technique might enable a more advanced magnetic recording technology, bit-patterned-media (BPM). The chemically functionalized graphene with sulfates and oxygens were investigated for potential applications in spintronics.