Orientation-controlled synthesis and ferromagnetism of single crystalline Co nanowire arrays

Single crystalline Co nanowire arrays with different orientations were grown within porous anodic alumina membranes by a pulsed electrodeposition technique. It was found that the orientation of nanowires can be controlled by controlling the deposition parameters and the magnetic properties depend strongly on the orientation of the nanowires arrays. The growth mechanism was discussed in detail. High-density, large aspect-ratio and single crystalline Co nanowire arrays with the proper values of coercivity may find promising application as a perpendicular magnetic recording medium.