A study on the electrodeposition of NiFe alloy thin films using chronocoulometry and electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry

Ni, Fe and NiFe alloy thin Mms were electrodeposited at a polycrystalline An surface using a range of electrolytes and potentials. Coulometry and EQCM were used for real-time monitoring of electroplating efficiency of the Ni and Fe. The plating efficiency of NiFe alloy thin films was computed with the aid of ICP spectrometry. In general, plating efficiency increased to a steady value with deposition time. Plating efficiency of Fe was, lower than that of Ni at -0.85 and -1.0 V but the efficiency approached to the similar plateau value to that of Ni at more negative potentials. The films with higher content of Fe showed different stripping behavior from the ones, with higher content of Ni. Finally, compositional data and real-time plating efficiency are presented for films electrodeposited using a range of electrolytes and potentials.