Magnetic properties of Fe nanowires electrodeposited in self-ordered alumina membrane

The iron nanowire arrays (NWs) were fabricated by DC electrodeposition into hexagonally ordered alumina pores. With the use of X-ray diffraction analysis, the structure of iron wires was determined. The iron wires have the Body Centered Cubic structure. The influence of cathodic deposition potential and parameters of membrane on the magnetic properties of nanowire arrays was investigated. Magnetic properties analyzed by VSM measurements suggest that the easy axis of magnetization follows the nanowire axis, with coercivity increasing with a decrease of nanowire diameter and length. The dependence of the height of Fe wires on the electrodeposition potential was determined. The low cathodic potential and smaller pore diameter are the synthesis parameters most beneficial for large coercivity with easy axis along nanowires.