Experimental and micromagnetics studies on magnetism of Ni nanowire arrays prepared with magnetic field induction

A new way to make high performance Ni nanowire arrays with external magnetic field inducing DC electrodeposition. The magnetic properties of the arrays are also studied by micromagnetic simulations. The electrodeposition of Ni nanowires is carried out in a two electrode electrodeposition pool. The deposition current is kept constant at 2 A/dm/sup 2/ with deposition time of 5 min and a 3000 Oe magnetic field along the wires is exerted parallel to the counter electrode direction. TEM photograph shows the nanowires are 600 nm long and polycrystalline. M-H loops for the Ni nanowires prepared with a magnetic field applied determine the squareness of 0.88 and coercivity of 690 Oe. Results of micromagnetic simulations show that the shape anisotropy field is dominant for the magnetic properties of a pure Ni elongated magnetic grain. Also, the simulated hysteresis loops agree quite well with the measured loops.