The effect of Fe3+ on magnetic moment of electrodeposited CoFe alloys—Experimental study and analytical model

The effect of Fe3+ concentration on saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) of electrodeposited Co40–44Fe60–56 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 Bs of electrodeposited Co40–44Fe60–56 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 Bs of Co40–44Fe60–56 films.