Array of nickel nanowires enveloped in polyaniline nanotubules and its magnetic behavior

An array of nickel nanowires enveloped in polyaniline nanotubules was prepa red by the "second-order-template" method. As the first step, an array of t he polyaniline nanotubules was synthesized in the pores of an alumina membr ane, then nickel nanowires were fabricated by electrochemical deposition of the nickel into the polyaniline nanotubules. The composite nanostructure w as characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microgr aphy. Its magnetic properties were measured by a vibrating sample magnetome ter. The coercivity and remanence are of high anisotropy with a maximum at theta =90 degrees (parallel to the nanowires). (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.