Synthesis of Ni-Fe thin films by electrochemical deposition technique and characterization of their microstructures and surface morphologies

Microstructural features and surface morphologies of Ni-Fe thin films fabricated by the electrochemical deposition technique have been experimentally studied. Ni-Fe thin films have been deposited under different deposition potentials and FeSO$_{4}$ concentrations. Energy dispersive X-ray measurements demonstrate that the Fe content decreases (increases) as the deposition potential (FeSO$_{4}$ concentration) is enhanced. All of the produced films exhibit an anomalous codeposition behavior. The effects of deposition potential and FeSO$_{4}$ concentrations on the degree of anomalous codeposition have been also characterized. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the films have face-centered cubic crystallographic structures with [111] preferred crystallographic orientation regardless of the applied deposition conditions. However, the crystallization and the crystallite size of the films are affected by changing of the FeSO$_{4}$ concentration and the deposition potential. The results of scanning electron microscopy analyses verify that the surface structure of the film electroplated from the electrolyte with higher FeSO$_{4}$ concentration under higher deposition potential exhibits a more homogeneous and dense structure with smaller grain sizes.