Nickel/alumina nanocomposites by AC electrochemical processing

Nanowire/pillar composite fabricated by alternating current electrochemical deposition of nickel into/onto thin porous anodic alumina (PAA) is investigated for magnetosensitive medium applications. Magnetization and current transport features of Ni nanowires/porous matrix composite in the current-perpendicular-to-plane mode are considered. Fabrication processing features, SEM characterization results are presented. PAA/Ni nanocomposite with Ni nanoparticles of 15-25 nm characteristic size is formed at initial stages of deposition. Continuous Ni nanowires/nanotubes composites are formed over the whole alumina pores depth after similar to 10-min deposition. XRD analysis confirms the polycrystalline nature of Ni nanowires with [111] preferential orientation.