Morphology and Magnetic Properties of Ni Nanowires in Thin Film Anodic Alumina Templates

The features of the morphology and magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays have been studied. Aluminum oxide matrices are used as a template for electrolytic deposition of nanowires. The matrices are obtained by anodizing the aluminum films with a thickness of 2 μm that are formed on glass substrates by high frequency ion sputtering. Electrochemical deposition of the metal is carried out using direct and alternating currents. Morphology and microstructure studies show that the nanowire arrays are polycrystalline and have a branched dendritic structure due to the morphological features of aluminum oxide matrices. A relationship between the magnetization reversal patterns and the modes of electrodeposition of Ni nanowire arrays is established. The process of magnetization reversal of an array of this kind of structures is simulated.