Temperature dependent magnetization in Co-base nanowire arrays: Role of crystalline anisotropy

Abstract

Co, Co (1-x)Pd x, and Co (1-y)Ni y nanowire arrays have been prepared by electrochemical template-assisted growth. Hcp, fcc or both phases are detected in Co nanowires depending on their length (300 nm to 40 μm) and on the content of Pd (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) and Ni (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.8). Their magnetic behavior has been studied under longitudinal and perpendicular applied fields. The effective magnetic anisotropy is mostly determined by the balance between the shape and the crystalline terms, the latter depending on the fractional volume of hcp phase with strong perpendicular anisotropy and fcc phase with weaker longitudinal anisotropy. The temperature dependence of remanence and coercivity and the eventual observation of compensation temperature is interpreted as due to the different temperature dependence of shape and hcp crystalline anisotropy. Optimum longitudinal magnetic anisotropy is achieved in low Pd-content CoPd nanowires and in short Co nanowires. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.