Co–Pt–W thin films electrodeposited from sulphate–gluconate baths

Co–Pt–W magnetic thin films were electrodeposited from gluconate baths. Electrochemical characterization (polarization behaviors and transient curves), microstructure and magnetic properties were investigated. It turned out that increase in gluconate concentration and bath pH shifted the deposition potential to more negative potentials. Microstructure of electrodeposited Co–Pt–W thin films was affected by the bath pH and gluconate concentration enormously. Samples obtained from Co–sulphate–gluconate at pH 8.0 and gluconate concentration 0.3 mol L−1 exhibited single hcp phase with strong (0 0 1) PO. VSM and MFM measurement showed that perpendicular magnetic anisotropy occurred in the Co–Pt–W thin films prepared under these conditions.