Influence of a magnetic field on the electrodeposition of nickel-iron alloys

The electrodeposition of nickel-iron alloys is studied under the influence of a superimposed external static magnetic field. It is shown that the direction of the magnetic field with regard to the electric field affects the electrodeposition process (current efficiency, composition and morphology of the layers). Furthermore, the influence of the simultaneous action of natural and magnetically driven convection is discussed in function of the orientation of the working electrode. The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique is used to determine the partial current due to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It is observed that the magnetic field applied perpendicular to the electric field lines increases the rate of the HER, while no significant variation is observed in a magnetic field parallel to the electric field. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.