A study of initial stages in film electrodeposition of magnetic cobalt-tungsten alloys

The initial stages of electrodeposition of magnetic films are studied by recording the potentiodynamic polarization and j(c) vs. t curves, determining the surface structure of the galvanic deposits by XPS, and examining the properties of thin coatings. The initial stage of electrodeposition of magnetic Co-W films is shown to involve a sharp decrease in the cathodic process rate and the formation of Co(OH)(2), WO3, and/or WO42- on the surface of the copper cathode. The electrodeposition of a magnetic Co-W metallic alloy, which contains Co, W, and main compounds of the metals being codeposited, occurs upon expiration of a certain time period, which depends on the deposition potential E(c).