Nanostructure and magnetic properties of Fe69Co31 nanowire arrays

The nanostructure and magnetic properties of Fe69Co31 nanowire arrays with high energy product have been studied. Investigation results revealed a dense and continuous individual nanowire containing a number of defects. After annealing at 550 degreesC, the nanowire arrays had a coercivity of H-c = 3650 Oe and a remanence ration of M-r/M-s = 0.95. The maximum energy product (BH)(max) for one annealed nanowire was estimated to be about 35 MGOe. The magnetization reversal mechanism was studied, and the large coercivity of annealed samples was attributed to the decrease of defects and the increase of crystalline size along nanowire axis. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.