Redox-induced modification of magnetism in Ni thin film

Abstract

Magnetic properties of Ni thin films which were modified through the redox reaction in alkaline solution were investigated by means of magneto-optical Faraday effect. The magnetization process of Ni film on which Ni(II) compounds electrochemically forms was different from that of fresh Ni films. This indicates that the magnetic anisotropy is modified through the redox reaction Ni(0)/Ni(II) which may induce the change in the volume of metallic nickel region and/or the magnetic coupling between the metallic Ni and some compound including Ni(II) formed on the film surface.