Investigation of the magnetization reversal mechanism of electrolessly deposited Co-B nanotubes

Co-B nanotubes were prepared via an electroless deposition method. The morphology, magnetic properties and the magnetization reversal mechanism of the nanotubes were investigated. Deposition was carried out in porous polycarbonate membranes leading to the formation of Co-B nanotubes with an average external diameter of 400 nm and lengths up to 6 μm. Electroless deposition resulted in the formation of alloys with composition Co₇₀B₃₀ and a specific magnetization of 65.6 J T^-1kg^-1, which is about 40 % of that of pure Co (161 J T^-1kg^-1). The transversal and vortex modes were identified as the mechanisms responsible for magnetization reversal in the nanotubes. A crossover between the two modes is observed at low angles and the results are in line with current models for switching mechanisms of nanotubes.