Magnetite (Fe$_3$O$_4$) Core-Shell Nanowires and Nanotubes: Synthesis and Magnetoresistance

Single crystalline magnetite (Fe$_{3}$O$_{4})$ core-shell nanowires and nanotubes have been successfully synthesized using pulsed laser deposition and selective chemical etching techniques. The material composition and stoichoimetric ratio have been carefully examined and confirmed with a variety of characterization techniques. These novel structures have rendered unique opportunities to investigate the transport behavior and spintronic property of Fe$_{3}$O$_{4}$ in its one-dimensional form. Room temperature magnetoresistance of $\sim $1.2{\%} was observed in the as synthesized nanowires under a magnetic field of B = 1.8 T, which has been accounted for the tunneling of spin-polarized electrons across the anti-phase boundaries.