Array of nickel nanowires enveloped in polyaniline nanotubules and its magnetic behavior

An array of nickel nanowires enveloped in polyaniline nanotubules was prepared by the second-order-template method. As the first step, an array of the polyaniline nanotubules was synthesized in the pores of an alumina membrane, then nickel nanowires were fabricated by electrochemical deposition of the nickel into the polyaniline nanotubules. The composite nanostructure was characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron micrography. Its magnetic properties were measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer. The coercivity and remanence are of high anisotropy with a maximum at theta =90 degrees (parallel to the nanowires). (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.