Template Synthesis and Magnetic Behavior of FeNi Alloy Nanotube Arrays

"FeNi nanotubes were successfully prepared in pores of anodic aluminium oxide templates by the wetting template method. By varying the deposition conditions and the parameters of the templates, the lengths and the outer as well as the inner diameters of the tubes can be tailored. The FeNi nanotubes and their arrays were characterized by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Macroscopic magnetic measurements show the FeNi nanotube arrays to have obvious anisotropy, and the easy axis is parallel to the nanotube axis. The magnetic moment distributions in the tube walls and the magnetization reversal mechanism are discussed. Magnetic moments of the FeNi nanotube preferentially lie in the nanotube wall, but the distribution is spatially isotropic. These magnetic behaviours are due to the unique shape of the nanotube."