Surface Morphological Control of Nanostructured Single-Phase Fe3O4, α-FeOOH and γ-FeOOH Electrodeposited Thin Films

Abstract

Nanostructured single-phase magnetite, goethite, and lepidocrocite thin films with variable surface morphology and degree of cristallinity were anodically electrodeposited in a potentiostatic mode onto titanium substrates under different deposition conditions. Dependence of phase composition, degree of cristallinity, preferred crystallographic orientation and surface morphology of these films on applied potential, electrodeposition electrolytic bath temperature and pH was conducted. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the applied potential have a crucial effect on the phase composition of these films so that on degree crystallinity and prefererred crystallographic orientations. Scanning electron microscopy micrograph images indicated that electrolytic bath pH and temperature play an important role on the surface morphology and on the grain size of the deposited materials.