Fabrication of Pd-Fe nanowires with a high aspect ratio by AAO template-assisted electrodeposition

In this study, vertically oriented Pd0.86Fe0.14 nanowires have been fabricated using an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template by direct voltage electrodeposition at room temperature. AAO template-assisted electrodeposition of Pd-Fe was carried out in Pd(NH3)(2)Cl-2:FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O solution. The AAO template and the Pd0.86Fe0.14 nanowires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) methods and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was observed that the Pd0.86Fe0.14 nanowires were approximately 65 nm in diameter and 10 mu m in length with an aspect ratio of 153 in a relatively large area of about 4 cm(2). The nucleation rate and the number of atoms in the critical nucleus are determined from the analysis of current transients. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.