# Self-Assembled TiN-Metal Nanocomposites Integrated on Flexible Mica Substrates towards Flexible Devices

## TL;DR

Researchers created flexible nanocomposite films with magnetic and plasmonic properties on mica, opening new possibilities for multifunctional flexible devices.

## Contribution

A novel three-phase TiN-Au-Ni nanocomposite system with core-shell-like nanopillars on flexible mica substrates is introduced.

## Key findings

- TiN-Au-Ni/mica and TiN-Ni/mica films show room-temperature ferromagnetic properties.
- Plasmonic properties can be tuned by adjusting the metallic components of the nanocomposite films.
- Flexible nanocomposite films maintained property reliability after cyclic bending tests.

## Abstract

The integration of nanocomposite thin films with combined multifunctionalities on flexible substrates is desired for flexible device design and applications. For example, combined plasmonic and magnetic properties could lead to unique optical switchable magnetic devices and sensors. In this work, a multiphase TiN-Au-Ni nanocomposite system with core–shell-like Au-Ni nanopillars embedded in a TiN matrix has been demonstrated on flexible mica substrates. The three-phase nanocomposite film has been compared with its single metal nanocomposite counterparts, i.e., TiN-Au and TiN-Ni. Magnetic measurement results suggest that both TiN-Au-Ni/mica and TiN-Ni/mica present room-temperature ferromagnetic property. Tunable plasmonic property has been achieved by varying the metallic component of the nanocomposite films. The cyclic bending test was performed to verify the property reliability of the flexible nanocomposite thin films upon bending. This work opens a new path for integrating complex nitride-based nanocomposite designs on mica towards multifunctional flexible nanodevice applications.