Fabrication and temperature-dependent magnetic properties of one-dimensional multilayer Au–Ni–Au–Ni–Au nanowires

Multilayer Au–Ni–Au–Ni–Au nanowires with a controlled diameter of ∼100 nm were synthesized by electrochemical deposition in porous alumina templates. The length of each Ni-segment was controlled up to ∼230 nm, while the length of the Au segment sandwiched between two Ni segments was ∼180 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra confirmed the formation of purely crystalline nanowires. The magnetic properties of the multilayer Au–Ni–Au–Ni–Au nanowires were investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K. Room-temperature magnetic hysteresis confirmed the ferromagnetic nature of the nanowires. The plot of coercivity as a function of temperature (from 2 to 300 K) followed law applicable for ferromagnetic nanostructures. The magnetization tended to increase as the temperature decreased, following the modified Bloch's law similar to ferromagnetic nanoparticles. - Graphical abstract: (a) SEM image of Au–Ni–Au–Ni–Au nanowire with 230 nm Ni segment length and 180 nm Au sandwiched between Ni segments (b) Kneller's law (c) Bloch's law Display Omitted - Highlights: • Electrochemical fabrication of Au–Ni–Au–Ni–Au nanowires in alumina templates. • Formation of beadlike structure of Ni segments. • Coercivity versus T follows Kneller's law for ferromagnetic materials. • Magnetization as a function of temperature follows the modified Bloch's law