Fabrication and magnetic properties of Fe–Pd nanowire arrays

Ordered 20 nm Fe–Pd nanowire arrays with different compositions have been fabricated by alternating current electrodeposition into nanoporous anodic alumina. The structural and magnetic properties of the arrays were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). When Fe content is lower than 46 at.%, Fe–Pd alloy phase with fcc structure forms for the as-deposited. After annealing the alloy structure remains unchanged, but the coercivity (HC)(HC) and squareness (Mr/Ms)(Mr/Ms) increase. When Fe content is up to 60 at.%, αα-Fe and Fe–Pd phases with fcc structure coexist for the as-deposited. After annealing the nanowires consist of a uniform Fe–Pd phase with fcc structure and the coercivity and squareness decrease. The change of the structure and magnetic properties with the alloy composition and annealing are explained reasonably.