Ion Discharge in Electrochemical Deposition of CoNiFe Films

Heating of chloride electrolyte to a temperature of 70°C provides normal codeposition of the components of СоNiFe alloy as a result of discharge of iron, cobalt, and nickel ions at a high cathodic current density. The chloride electrolyte with filtration and correction of pH value by hydrochloric acid ensures the electrochemical deposition of CoNiFe films at a concentration ratio c Со : c Ni : c Fe = 1 : 1 : 1. The mechanism of abnormal deposition of Co, Fe, and Ni is due to the differences in the atom ionization and ion mobility. The obtained films of СоNiFe are free of mechanical stresses, exhibit uniform structure and high magnetic parameters without a high temperature of annealing. The electrochemical deposition enables reproducible production of СоNiFe films.