Synthesis and Properties of Fe/Ni Nanotubes

Fe/Ni nanotubes were formed in pores of polyethylenterephtalate-based template matrices by electrochemical deposition. The inner diameter, wall height, and thickness of the nanostructures, as well as the elemental and phase compositions, can be controlled by varying the deposition conditions. The volume deposition rate constants have been determined for each potential difference, due to which the nanostructure growth could be controlled. An X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples obtained at a potential difference of 1-1.6 V has revealed their composition to correspond to the substitutional solid solution, with an iron atom replaced by a nickel atom and dominance of the bcc alpha-Fe phase. The samples obtained at a potential difference of 1.8-2 V contain the bcc alpha-Fe phase and fcc Ni phase; the fcc phase dominates in the sample obtained at a potential difference of 2 V, which can be related to the high Ni content in nanotubes.