Microstructure and magnetic properties of Co–Cu nanowire arrays fabricated by galvanic displacement deposition

CoCu nanowires were fabricated in anodic alumina templates by a simple metal displacement deposition method and the as-deposited samples were subsequently annealed at 400 °C in vacuum. The CoCu nanowires are 80 nm in diameter and 50 μm in length. The aspect ratio (ratio of length to diameter) is larger than 600, which results in distinctive magnetic anisotropy. Enhanced coercivity (about 2245 Oe) and large squareness of 92% have been observed in the annealed samples.

► CoCu nanowires were fabricated in anodic alumina templates by a simple metal displacement deposition method.
► Deposition was carried out at room temperature without using energy and specific equipments.
► High coercivity (about 2245 Oe) and large squareness of 92% can be observed in the annealed samples, which make them potential magnetic recording materials.