Annealing effects on structural and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO nanowires synthesized by an electrodeposition process

Abstract: Arrays of Co-doped ZnO nanowires were fabricated by electrodeposition of Zn2+ and Co2+ into an anodic aluminum oxide template followed by post-oxidation annealing in an Ar/O2 mixed atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanowires were uniform with a diameter of about 75nm. Significant differences in the crystalline structures of samples annealed at different temperatures were observed. Magnetization measurements showed that the Co-doped ZnO nanowires exhibit room-temperature ferromagnetism that changed with the annealing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]