Influence of the applied external magnetic field on surface area and catalytic activity of electrodeposited Cu-Fe alloys

Due to the ferromagnetic properties of Fe, the influence of the external magnetic field on the morphology and chemical composition of electrodeposited Cu-Fe alloys was investigated. The magnetic field present affects the samples when applied in the direction parallel to their surface. However, its influence on the morphology of the coatings is slight. The surface area was analysed using Atomic Force Microscopy and determined based on the measurements of Double-Layer Capacitance. A similar trend for both methods was observed. The sample with the largest active surface area can be deposited in the parallel-to-electrode magnetic field at 250 mT and the least at 500 mT in the same direction. The catalytic properties in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction were measured in 1M NaOH. The relationship between the wettability and catalytic performance is noticeable. The evolution of hydrogen began earliest on the hydrophilic coating. All hydrophobic samples show similar catalytic activity.