Enhancement of magnetic and surface properties in magneto-pulse electrodeposited Fe-Pd alloy thin films at various deposition potentials

Abstract

Superimposition of a constant magnetic field () in Fe-Pd alloy electrodeposition has shown interesting magnetic, morphological and microstructural properties of deposited thin films. X-ray diffraction results show a face centered cubic structure at (−1.0 V and–1.05 V) and body centered cubic structure at (−1.1 V) based on anomalous co-deposition. Calculated crystallite sizes (−1.05 V (8.39 nm)) are improving in presence of the parallel external magnetic field (4.28 nm), on the contrary perpendicular orientation increase the crystallite sizes (8.91 nm). Field emission scanning electron microscopy images reveal densely packed uniform nanogranular nature of all films, where superimposition of parallel magnetic field leads to more finer grains. A clear soft-ferromagnetic behavior with easy in-plane orientation found in all deposits. Increase in Fe (at%) in films leads to higher saturation magnetization. The highest saturation magnetization (Ms) is achieved (1157 emu/c.c. (−1.1 V))in superimposed (∥) magnetic field samples prove external magnetic field increases (Ms). Atomic force microscopy images reveal low film roughness (∥ field), whereas higher roughness is observed at (⊥field). Observed patch-like domains in magnetic force microscopy images at (−1.05 V (∥)) proves a parallel magnetic field influencing domain formation. The counter play between external magnetic field and deposition potential to achieve high quality films in superimposed magnetic field, electrodeposition was studied.