Fabrication and magnetic characteristics of electrodeposited FeCr nanowire arrays

Fe-based nanowire (NW) arrays have long been investigated due their potential applications in future-generation magnetic nanodevices. However, very few research studies have considered FeCr NWs so far. Herein, FeCr NW arrays with different compositions are fabricated using a pulsed ac electrodeposition technique in porous anodic alumina templates. The Cr electrolyte concentration changed between 2 and 8 mM, influencing morphological, compositional, structural and magnetic properties. As an additive, the element Cr enhanced coercivity and squareness of Fe NWs, inducing the formation of Fe (200) peak in the crystal structure. As an alloying component, although the Cr element kept the structural and magnetic properties almost constant, it considerably affected the NW length compared to Fe NWs. First-order reversal curve analysis showed significant reductions in magnetostatic interactions when increasing the Cr concentration. In this case, local interactions between the FeCr NW arrays were expected to increase compared to pure Fe NWs.

Automated summary

FeCr-based nanowire arrays were fabricated using pulsed ac electrodeposition technique, with varying Cr electrolyte concentrations impacting their morphological, compositional, structural, and magnetic properties. The addition of Cr enhanced coercivity and squareness of Fe NWs, while alloying with Cr kept properties almost constant but affected the NW length compared to pure Fe NWs. Increases in Cr concentration led to reduced magnetostatic interactions and potentially higher local interactions within the FeCr NW arrays.