Fabrication and magnetic properties of Sm2Co17 and Sm2Co17/Fe7Co3 magnetic nanowires via AAO templates

The Sm2Co17 single-phase and Sm2Co17/Fe7Co3 double-phase nanowire arrays with smaller diameter (around 50 nm) have been fabricated into the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by direct-current electrodeposition. The crystal structure and micrograph of these nanowire arrays were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that the as-deposited Sm2Co17 nanowires have the amorphous microstructure. The magnetic hysteresis loops obtained by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) show that the easily magnetized direction of the Sm2Co17 single-phase and Sm2Co17/Fe7Co3 double-phase nanowire arrays is parallel to the nanowire arrays and the exchange coupling interaction in nanocomposite Sm2Co17/Fe7Co3 is discussed. The study of the Sm2Co17 single-phase and Sm2Co17/Fe7Co3 double-phase nanowires with small diameter may open up new opportunities for the design and control of nanostructures such as the fabrication of magnetic recording devices.