Template synthesis, characterization and transformations of iron nanowires while aging

Densely packed arrays of various materials demonstrating enhanced magnetic properties remain of great interest nowadays. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the morphology, composition and phase of iron nanowires (nws) deposited from the developed solution within alumina template pores of the average diameter of ca.15 nm by the alternating current (ac) electrolysis protocol. The same investigations were performed after Fe nws storage in the air for several months. Characterization of the as-grown product shows the formation of the crystalline α-Fe nws array with a preferred [1 1 0] nw growth direction. The aging of samples leads to the corrosion of Fe nws mainly from the template top side while aging of Fe nws liberated from the template and kept for several months under ambient conditions results in the corrosion of nws along their full length producing catkin-twig shapes.