Electrodeposition of Iron Group Metals from Ethylene Glycol Solution: From Thin Films to Nanowires

Abstract

Iron group metals (Fe, Ni, Co) electrodeposition has been studied extensively from aqueous solutions, especially because of the great practical interest of such elements and their alloys. However, there are cases where non-aqueous solvents show advantages over the traditional baths and for some systems they may represents the only solution to carry out successfully electrodeposition [1, 2]. Nowadays, particular attention is paid to deep eutectic solvents (DESs) because of their easy preparation method and working conditions [2]. In this work we tried to simplify further this kind of solutions by studying the electrodeposition of Fe, Ni and Co from ethylene glycol solvent without the employment of quaternary ammonium salt; it has to be noted that only a few studies on this system are reported in literature [3, 4, 5]. Fundamental electrochemical characterization was firstly carried out highlighting analogies and differences among the three systems considered. Microstructural, morphological and magnetic characterization were performed on metallic deposits obtained by means of potentiostatic electrodeposition. In addition, commercially available aluminium membranes ware employed for the synthesis of nanowires with enhanced magnetic properties with respect to the film. Finally, considerations on the results obtained are given with respect to deposits properties typically obtained from aqueous solutions.