Phenomenological discussion of Fe and Co film electrodeposited in a magnetic field

Abstract

Fe and Co films were galvanostatically electrodeposited at 10 mA cm -2 on Cu substrate in sulfate aqueous solution with pH = 1.5. The amount of electricity of 150 C cm-2 was selected. The magnetic field (0-5 T) was superimposed parallel to the electrode plane. The superimposition of magnetic field to the electrodeposition process considerably decreased the current efficiency with increasing in the magnetic flux for Fe, while almost constant efficiency was maintained for Co. SEM images showed the smoother surface morphology of Fe film. Texture measurement demonstrated that Fe(110) plane was oriented to the magnetic field direction. On the other hand, the surface morphology of Co deposits was drastically changed from an angular to a platelike shape by superimposing the magnetic field. Comparing with the case of Fe texture evolution, Co texture variation with magnetic flux was not evident. The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects on Fe and Co electrodeposited films are phenomenologically discussed. © 2005 ISIJ.