Congruent Electrochemical Deposition of Co–Ni–Fe Films

Heating of chloride electrolyte up to 70°С ensures the normal codeposition of components of the Co–Ni–Fe alloy as a result of the discharge of iron, cobalt, and nickel ions at the high cathodic current density. The chloride electrolyte with filtration and pH correction by hydrochloric acid at the concentration CСо : CNi : CFe = 1 : 1 : 1 provides the electrochemical deposition of Co–Ni–Fe films. The mechanism of anomalous deposition of Co, Fe, and Ni takes place due to the incomplete ionization of atoms and the different mobility of ions. The Co–Ni–Fe films lacking mechanical stresses with the uniform structure and the high magnetic properties are synthesized without using high annealing temperatures. The electrochemical deposition allows reproducible Co–Ni–Fe films to be obtained.