Enhancement of anomalous codeposition in the synthesis of Fe-Ni alloys in nanopores

In this paper we report an enhancement of anomalous codeposition in NiFe electrodeposition when using nanoporous templates. Depending on the deposition potential it is possible to obtain homogeneous nanowires of a high Fe concentration or of a concentration similar to the one of the electrolyte used. In addition, nanowires with a decreasing Fe concentration are found for intermediate overpotentials. Voltammetric studies relate this effect with a possible higher block of the cathode surface by adsorption of intermediated species in nanopores. A study of the effect of hydrogen bubbles shows a change in the composition in the areas surrounding the bubbles, and yields an increase in the deposition rate, which results in longer nanowires.