Template electrodeposition of cobalt-gadolinium alloys

Template electrodeposition of cobalt-gadolinium alloy nanowires and nanotubes has been demonstrated from an aqueous sulfamate bath, for the first time. The effect of electrolyte pH on wire and tube formation was investigated. Wire formation was favored at pH 2.15 and tube formation predominately occurred at pH 1.8. Pore depth had a significant effect on the composition of the nanostructures. In polycarbonate templates, the deposit had an average gadolinium concentration of 15 wt %, which increased to 55 wt % in anodized alumina templates as the pore depth increased from 6 to 60 mu m. Compositionally modulated, electrodeposited, multilayered nanowires of CoGd/Co were also demonstrated. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.