Ni growth inside ordered arrays of alumina nanopores: Enhancing the deposition rate

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

proenca, mariana p. (Author) Other; sousa, celia t. (Author) Other; ventura, joao (Author) FCUP; vazquez, manuel (Author) Other; araujo, joao p. (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Electrochimica Acta

Vol. 72

Pages: 215-221

ISSN: 0013-4686

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 65 Citations

Scopus - 70 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-8TX

DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2012.04.036

Abstract (EN): High aspect ratio Ni nanowires (NWs) were electrodeposited inside ordered arrays of self-assembled pores (similar to 50 nm in diameter) in anodic alumina templates by a potentiostatic method. A systematic comparative study is here reported on Ni deposition at different applied potentials between -0.5 and -4.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). A detailed analysis of the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the Ni NWs was performed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. Smooth, well-defined and highly-oriented (2 2 0) face-centered cubic Ni NWs were obtained for the whole range of applied potentials (E). The Ni deposition rate (eta) was observed to strongly depend on E [eta (mu m min(-1)) = 4.5 x |E| - 3.5], reaching similar to 12 mu m min(-1) for E similar to -3.5 V. However, at high cathodic potentials (E <= -2.5 V) we found that H-2 gas bubbles are more likely to nucleate inside the nanopores stopping further Ni deposition. Magnetic measurements revealed the high shape anisotropy of the fabricated nanostructures, and allowed us to estimate the native oxide layer thickness (similar to 1.5 nm) formed around the Ni NWs, inside the alumina template.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7