Fabrication and characterization of electrodeposited Co1−xCrx nanowires

Co_1−xCr_x   alloy nanowires with 0.01<x<0.93$0.01<x<0.93$ were fabricated by electrodeposition in a porous alumina membrane from an electrolyte containing Co and Cr ions. The composition, structure and magnetic properties of the nanowires have been characterized. Cobalt-rich nanowires were electrodeposited at a potential of −1.0 V relative to Ag/AgCl and chromium-rich nanowires were deposited beyond −3.5 V. The optimized processing conditions include hydrogen annealing to give hysteresis loops for the Co₈₀Cr₂₀ nanowires with coercivity of up to 200 mT and squareness of up to 0.95. Magnetization of the Co₈₀Cr₂₀ nanowire is 77 A m² kg⁻¹ and the energy product of the arrays is 35 kJ m⁻³.