Study on the pulse reverse electrodeposition of Fe-nano-Si composite coatings in magnetic field

Composite iron deposits containing nano-silicon particles were prepared under direct current (DCED) and pulse reverse current electrodeposition (PRED) conditions in the presence of magnetic field. The influences of magnetic field and pulse reverse current on the co-deposition of silicon particles as well as the surface morphology of coatings were investigated respectively. Results showed that PRED regime exhibits fewer incorporated silicon particles than those obtained under DCED condition when no magnetic field was applied. Under the influence of magnetic field, the silicon particles of coatings increased significantly, meanwhile, many projecting deposits named “mountain ranges” appeared on the surface of coatings. However, the numbers of “mountain ranges” showed a trend of reduce with increasing the pulse frequency under magnetic field and therefore the surface morphology of coatings became more smooth and flat.