Electrodeposition of macroporous magnetic metal films using colloidal nickel phosphate templates

Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) macroporous nickel based films with randomly distributed spherical pores (diameter 90-210 nm) were synthesized by a simple templated electrodeposition route. Porous templates on Sn doped In2O3 (ITO) coated glass were constructed via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of colloidal nickel phosphate particles prepared by a homogeneous precipitation method. The infilling of metal was sequently carried out in an electrodeposition bath, and porous films were obtained by dissolving the templates in ammonium sulfate solution. By adjusting the deposition charge, the thickness of the porous films could be controlled from 100 nm to tens of microns. Room temperature magnetic properties of the porous films were studied, remarkably enhanced coercivity and squareness than that of corresponding plain films were observed.