Potential dependent tuning of magnetic and structural properties of electrodeposited NiZn nanowires in Al2O3 templates

The NiZn nanowires arrays were prepared into anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by alternating current (AC) using electrochemical deposition (ECD). We have tuned the magnetic and structural properties of NiZn nanowires by changing the AC potential from 12 to 17 V. The samples were characterized by different elemental, compositional, structural and magnetic properties analysis. The X-ray diffraction shows that the nanowires are polycrystalline with dominant FCC phase and grain size calculated by Debye Scherrer formula is found to be 27 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for surface analysis which showed surface roughness ∼5 µm. The SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) is used for magnetic properties analysis and it showed ferromagnetic nature of the samples which were expected because of the presence of Ni. The potential dependent coercivity and saturation magnetization was calculated which were variable and their maximum values are 68 Oe and 49.22 µemu respectively explained on the basis defects induced blocking of magnetic domain wall motion.