Morphology, structure, and magnetism of FeCo thin films electrodeposited on hydrogen-terminated Si(111) surfaces

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2007-12, Vol.316 (2), p.510-516
• Main Authors: Zarpellon, J., Jurca, H.F., Mattoso, N., Klein, J.J., Schreiner, W.H., Ardisson, J.D., Macedo, W.A.A., Mosca, D.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys - chemistry; Chemistry; Cobalt - chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Electrochemistry; Electrodeposition on Si; Exact sciences and technology; FeCo thin films; General and physical chemistry; Hydrogen - chemistry; Iron - chemistry; Magnetic properties and microstructure; Magnetics; Membranes, Artificial; Mössbauer spectroscopy; Particle Size; Sensitivity and Specificity; Silicon - chemistry; Spectrophotometry - methods; Spectroscopy, Mossbauer - methods; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; X-Ray Diffraction; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; X-Rays
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2007.08.032

In this work we describe the fabrication of FeCo alloy (less than 10 at% Co) thin films from aqueous ammonium sulfate solutions onto n-type Si(111) substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition at room temperature. The incorporation of Co into the deposits tends to inhibit Fe silicide formation and to protect deposits against oxidation under air exposure. As the incorporation of Co was progressively increased, the sizes of nuclei consisting of FeCo alloy increased, leading to films with a highly oriented body-centered cubic structure with crystalline texture, where (110) planes remain preferentially oriented parallel to the film surface. Surface morphology of FeCo thin films (less than 10 at% Co) electrodeposited on Si(111) consists of juxtaposed aggregates with a body-centered cubic structure.