AC electrodeposition of NiMn alloy nanowires in AAO template

Abstract

The ordered ferromagnetic–antiferromagnetic [Formula: see text] alloy nanowires were fabricated successfully by alternating current (AC) electrodeposition into nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO). The NiMn alloy nanowires were deposited in a simple sulfate bath. Effect of bath composition on Mn content of electrodeposited nanowires as well as the thermal annealing effect on magnetic properties were explored. The magnetic properties of NiMn alloy nanowires were enhanced significantly, compared to corresponding bulk materials. Magnetic parameters, such as coercivity and saturation magnetization were decreased with increasing the Mn content. For thermal annealing process, it was found that these parameters were enhanced with increasing the temperature up to 300[Formula: see text]C, on the other hand, they were decreased with increasing the temperature to 500[Formula: see text]C. Moreover, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that the FCC crystalline structure of Ni turns to an amorphous phase by increasing the Mn content in the nanowires, resulting in a significant reduction in the [Formula: see text].