The effect of Fe on magnetic moment of electrodeposited CoFe alloys—Experimental study and analytical model

The effect of Fe³⁺ concentration on saturation magnetic flux density (B_s) of electrodeposited Co_40-44Fe_60-56 films was investigated. The results show that if the conditions at the electrochemical interface for nucleation/precipitation of iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃) are reached, the B_s of electrodeposited Co_40-44Fe_60-56 films quickly decreases as a result of the Fe(OH)₃ incorporation into deposit. These conditions are discussed as a function of the solution formulation (pH) and the parameters of electrodeposition process (current density, current efficiency, diffusion layer thickness) and a simple analytical model is developed qualitatively describing the hydroxide incorporation phenomenon and resulting decrease in B_s of Co_40-44Fe_60-56 films.