Fabrication and characterization of CoxGd1-x nanowire arrays and core-shell-like CoxGd1-x/CoO nanowire arrays

Amorphous Co xGd 1-x nanowire arrays and core-shell-like Co xGd 1-x/CoO nanowire arrays with composite amorphous and crystalline structures, where 0.75 < x < 0.99, are fabricated successfully by employing electrochemical deposition with the assistance of AAO templates. Based on the experiments, dissolving of the organic salt of Gd in dimethylsulfoxide and the deposition potentials are the critical factors for formation of amorphous structures and different morphologies. Investigation of the magnetic properties shows that Co xGd 1-x nanowire arrays have superparamagnetic characteristics, and core-shell-like Co xGd 1-x/CoO nanowire arrays possess better soft ferromagnetic properties. Moreover, these magnetic behaviors are attributed to spin disorder of amorphous structures and shape anisotropy, which arise from the large aspect ratio of one-dimensional nanoscale materials. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company.link_to_subscribed_fulltex