Electrical Conductivity of a Single Electro-deposited CoZn Nanowire

CoZn nanowires are fabricated by the electrodeposition method at constant voltage mode with porous anodic aluminum oxide as templates. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images show that the CoZn nanowires have a rather smooth surface. The nanowires have an average diameter of 50 nm, which coincides with the diameter of the used templates. The x-ray diffraction pattern reveals the polycrystalline structure of the CoZn nanowires. The electrical conductivity of a single CoZn nanowire is studied. The metallic behavior is observed at temperatures from 230 K to 30 K. Moreover, an abnormal behavior appears around 30 K. The resistance shows the slight upturn phenomenon below 30 K down to 2 K, which is due to the major conduction role of the oxidation layer on the surface of the CoZn nanowire.