The influence of the ac electrodeposition conditions on the magnetic properties and microstructure of Co nanowire arrays

Abstract

The effect of electrodeposition frequency and waveform on the magnetic
properties and microstructures of Co nanowires were investigated. The
results show that depending on the value of the electrodeposition frequency
appreciable changes in the crystalline anisotropy can be induced. These
changes are attributed to modifications in the microstructure of the Co
nanowires. In particular, quantification of the x-ray diffraction patterns for
sine waveform electrodeposition shows that the microstructure of the
deposited Co nanowires can be set to contain a dominant fraction of the
Co-hcp phase with the c-axis oriented perpendicular to the nanowires, for
frequencies below 350 Hz, or parallel to the nanowires, for frequencies more
than 350 Hz. Magnetic properties of the square and triangle waveform also
have been studied and similar behaviours are seen at frequencies around
200 Hz and 500 Hz, respectively. To analyse the magnetic and
microstructure behaviour, the deposition charge and the instantaneous
deposition current have been investigated.