Magnetic properties of one-dimensional embedded nickel nanostructures in gold nanowires

Magnetic nanostructures of nickel embedded in gold were successfully fabricated by electrochemical deposition in porous alumina templates. Structural characterization of the samples confirmed the formation of pure phase, crystalline multi-segmented Au–Ni–Au nanowires. Magnetic characterization of the wires reveals that ferromagnetism arises as a result of Ni embedded in Au segments. An interesting behavior of coercivity was observed that showed a rapid decrease of coercivity for smaller Ni segments while a monotonic decrease was found for the larger segments. Finally, the saturation magnetization of the wires exhibited a slower increase for smaller Ni segments while a sharp increase was observed for larger Ni segments.

► One-dimensional Ni wires embedded in Au have been fabricated in alumina templates.
► Structural analysis confirms single crystalline Ni embedded in Au segments.
► High coercivity of the wires was observed for smaller nickel segments.
► While smaller magnetization was found for the smaller nickel segments.