Synthesis of dense, single-crystalline CrO2 nanowire arrays using AAO template-assisted chemical vapor deposition.

High-density, vertically aligned CrO(2) nanowire arrays were obtained via atmospheric-pressure CVD assisted by AAO templates. The CrO(2) nanowire arrays show remarkably enhanced coercivity compared with CrO(2) films or bulk. It was found that the length of the nanowires is greatly influenced by the pore diameter of the AAO template used. The growth mechanism and the pore size dependence of the CrO(2) nanowire arrays are discussed. The present method provides a useful approach for the synthesis of CrO(2) nanowire arrays. Such highly ordered nanowire arrays within an AAO template may have important applications in ultrahigh-density perpendicular magnetic recording devices and the mass production of spintronic nanodevices.