Electrocrystallisation of metallic films under the influence of an external homogeneous magnetic field—Early stages of the layer growth

Abstract

The effects of a uniform magnetic field on the early stages of Ag, Fe and CoFe alloys electrocrystallisation have been investigated. It was found for Fe and CoFe alloys, irrespective of the applied parameters, that early stages of the layer growth can be characterised by a nucleation and 3D diffusion controlled growth. The influence of the deposition parameters on the nucleation behaviour was studied on the basis of the Sharifker–Mostany (SM) model. A modification to the existing model has been proposed in order to model alloy systems. It is reported that a magnetic field superposed parallel to the electrode surface has a significant influence on the early stages of Fe and CoFe alloys growth. The growth of the nuclei is enhanced by the Lorentz-force-driven convection, while the nucleation processes remain unaffected. The hydrodynamic origin of these phenomena is confirmed by independent rotating disk electrode (RDE) investigations. Moreover, the proposed mechanism of a magnetic field influence on the 3D diffusion controlled growth is supported by a microscopic investigation of Ag deposits. It was found that Ag deposits obtained without a magnetic field superposition are characterised by a relatively large number of small 3D growth centres, whereas the deposits obtained in a field show fewer 3D centres but their size is greatly increased.