Synthesis, morphology and specific magnetization of the electrodeposited Zn-Ni-P thin films on copper substrate from non-cyanide electrolyte

Abstract

AbstractThin films of Zn-Ni-P on a copper substrate were synthesized by electrodeposition from chloride baths. It was found that the diffraction reflections of the crystal structure of Zn-Ni-P thin layers occur at thicknesses d ≥ 5 µm. The X-ray diffraction studies results confirm the formation in the Zn-Ni-P films of ZnNi10P3 compound. The morphology of the obtained films was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS). The films are continuous and have a typical topography with many homogeneous globular features. EDS confirmed the formation of Zn-Ni-P coating only in 2 samples with Zn:Ni:P atomic ratios of 1:8:4 and 4:8:3, respectively. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the chemistry and the thickness of the studied thin films. At room temperature and thickness d ≥ 5 µm the investigated thin layers exhibit high values of the specific magnetizations in the range (25–37) A m2 kg−1, leading to the potential use in devices, appliances and electronics. The Curie temperature values of the synthesized Zn-Ni-P films were determined. It was found that by heating Zn-Ni-P thin layers of thicknesses d ≥ 5 µm up to a temperature T=900 K an interaction was detected with the copper substrate leading to a lower specific magnetization.