Improved microstructure and magnetic properties of iron-cobalt nanowire via an ac electrodeposition with a multistep voltage

Highly ordered porous alumina templates prepared by a two-step anodization are widely utilized as the matrix to assemble nanowires. Usually, an ac electrodeposition with a constant voltage is employed to deposit the metal nanowires on the porous alumina template due to its simple electrodeposition process. However, the nanowires deposited under a constant voltage include many defects in the microstructure, e.g. the hole to weaken its physical properties. Recently, we used an ac electrodeposition with a multistep voltage to deposit a cobalt nanowire with less microstructure defects to enhance its magnetic properties. In this letter, we further investigate the microstructure and magnetic properties of the iron-cobalt nanowire via an ac electrodeposition with a multistep voltage on the porous alumina template. Such a FeCo nanowire has the more uniform crystalline microstructure than that of deposited under a constant voltage and thus the magnetic properties are improved. Our results indicate that an ac electrodeposition with a multistep voltage is an effective way to fabricate the nanowires on the porous alumina template.