The influence of the ac electrodeposition conditions on the magnetic properties and microstructure of Co nanowire arrays

The effect of electrodeposition frequency and waveform on the magnetic properties and microstructures of Co nanowires were investigated. The results show that depending on the value of the electrodeposition frequency appreciable changes in the crystalline anisotropy can be induced. These changes are attributed to modifications in the microstructure of the Co nanowires. In particular, quantification of the x-ray diffraction patterns for sine waveform electrodeposition shows that the microstructure of the deposited Co nanowires can be set to contain a dominant fraction of the Co-hcp phase with the c-axis oriented perpendicular to the nanowires, for frequencies below 350 Hz, or parallel to the nanowires, for frequencies more than 350 Hz. Magnetic properties of the square and triangle waveform also have been studied and similar behaviours are seen at frequencies around 200 Hz and 500 Hz, respectively. To analyse the magnetic and microstructure behaviour, the deposition charge and the instantaneous deposition current have been investigated.