Metastable Structures of Co and Co−Ag Detected in Electrodeposited Coatings

• Published in: Crystal growth & design 2009-04, Vol.9 (4), p.1671-1676
• Main Authors: García-Torres, Jose, Gómez, Elvira, Alcobe, Xavier, Vallés, Elisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrodeposition, electroplating; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Other ferromagnetic metals and alloys; Physics; Studies of specific magnetic materials
• ISSN: 1528-7483; 1528-7505
• DOI: 10.1021/cg801167h

Silver and cobalt were simultaneously electrodeposited from a perchlorate electrolytic bath containing complexing agents and additives. Rough black Co−Ag deposits were obtained with variable composition determined by the deposition potential. The characterization of these deposits, by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis, revealed that electrodeposition in the selected bath induced metastable structures in both Co−Ag and pure-cobalt coatings. In cobalt−silver deposits, a metastable hexagonal close-packed phase (hP2) with cell parameters of a = 2.887 (2) Å, c = 4.745 (6) Å, and c/a = 1.644 was detected. The Co−Ag coatings exhibited ferromagnetic behavior. In cobalt deposits, a primitive cubic structure (cP20), with a cell parameter of a = 6.093 (1) Å, was detected.