Potentiostatic deposition of thin films of Ni-Fe alloys

Thin films of Ni-Fe alloys of various compositions have been deposited pote ntiostatically from an alkaline sulfate bath solution containing the sodium salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and triammonium citrate ( TAC). The complex nature of the bath solution was analyzed by cyclic potent iometric and spectrophotometric studies. The composition of the alloy was f ound to vary with the plating bath composition (Ni/Fe), plating potential a nd the concentration of complexing agent (EDTA). XPD studies showed that al loys are solid solutions of Fe in Ni (gamma-Phase) with fcc structure, free from oxides/hydroxides and pore free. The surface analysis by SEM revealed the nucleation by crystallites giving smooth deposit. The magnetic propert ies (Hc, Ms and squareness ratio) were evaluated from the parallel (in-plan e) and perpendicular hysteresis loops. Plating conditions were optimized to plate good quality thin films of Ni-Fe alloy with 80% Ni (Permalloy) with tailor made magnetic properties which suit electronic industries.