Fabrication and Magnetic Properties of Ni/Cu Shell/Core Nanocable Arrays

Abstract

Ordered Ni/Cu shell/core structured nanocable arrays were successfully fabricated by a two-step electrodeposition process. First, nickel (Ni) nanotubes were obtained by chemical electrodeposition in nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Then the AAO/Ni nanotube composite membrane was used as a secondary template to deposit copper (Cu) nanowires into Ni nanotubes. The morphology and microstructure of the nanocables has been characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The chemical composition of the nanocables has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Magnetization measurements revealed that Ni/Cu nanocable arrays have a high remanence ratio.