AFM and MFM Study of Electrodeposited Ni Nanowires Grown Inside Pores of NCA Templates

Nickel nanowires were grown by electrodeposition within Al2O3templates (NCA100 and NCA20) having average pore diameters of 240 and 200 nm. The growth of nanowires was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction analysis shows polycrystalline nature of the nanowires having average crystallite size varying from 24 to 35 nm. Average crystallite size and the crystal orientation were dependent on the pH and temperature of the electrolyte. Bulk magnetic properties of nickel filled nanoporous arrays were investigated using the Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Coercivity as high as 19.42 kA m^-1was obtained from 12.5μm length nanowires deposited inside NCA20. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) were employed to investigate the topography and magnetic domain structures on top of these nanowires when they reside inside the templates.