Study of magnetic properties of nanostructures on self-assembled patterns

• Main Author: Malwela, Thomas.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Self-Assembly; Aluminium Anodization; Nanopores; Electrodeposition; Cyclic Voltammetry; Co nanostructures; MnOx (x = 1,2) nanostructures; Nanomagnetism; Atomic Force Microscopy; Magnetic Force Microscopy; Magnetic properties; Magnetic domains; Domain Walls.
• Online Access: http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_8584_1318583564

In the current study, we give a report when oxalic acid was used as an electrolyte to synthesize an AAO template with hexagonal pore array. Optimum parameters were observed as 0.4 M of oxalic acid, anodizing voltage of 45 V, temperature of approximately 8 °C and the period of 120 minutes. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and High resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) showed that template has an average pore diameter of 103 nm. Co and MnOx (x = 1,2) nanostructures were selectively deposited in the pores of the template using a novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. The diameter sizes and the array of the nanostructures and the template were corresponding. Energy dispersive xrays (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of Co and MnOx (x =1,2) on the samples while x-ray diffraction (XRD) provided an indication of their orientations. Magnetic force microscopy as main characterization tool showed the existence of multi-domains on both Co and MnOx (x =1,2) nanostructures.