Microstructures and magnetic properties of as-deposited and annealed FexCo1−x alloy nanowire arrays embedded in anodic alumina templates

FeCo nanowires of 30 nm diameter were fabricated by ac electrodeposition in nanopores of alumina templates at different electrolyte concentrations and various electrodeposition frequencies. The effect of annealing on microstructures and magnetic properties of the nanowires fabricated under various conditions was investigated. Although magnetic properties of as-deposited nanowires were frequency independent, after annealing some variations were seen in those properties. The maximum coercivity of as-deposited FexCo1−x nanowires along the nanowire axis was found at 50 at% Fe. The crystalline structure of the nanowires was concentration independent and revealed a bcc structure for the FexCo1−x containing at least 10 at% Co. A coercivity of 2950 Oe was obtained for 1000 Hz-ac electrodeposited Fe0.64Co0.36 nanowires, annealed at 570 °C.