Growth and characterization of Fe1-xGax thin films from citrate-based electrolytes

Abstract

In this work we report on the growth of Fe_(1-x)Gax films by means of the electrodeposition technique in baths containing sodium citrate as an antioxidant agent. We have investigated the effect of the electrolyte composition in terms of its Ga content on the structural and magnetic properties. Our experimental results indicate that for the optimized bath composition, O-free Fe_(1-x)Gax alloys can be achieved for a potential of E = -1.4 V and magnetic stirring at 500 rpm. Both, the composition and the coercivity of the samples deposited from this electrolyte can be tuned by means of the duration of the rest pulse at E = -1.12 V. However, when the composition of the bath is not optimized the films exhibit a large amount of O that cannot be dissolved during the rest pulse. Our experimental results show that O-free Fe_(1-x)Ga_x alloys with a Ga content around 19 at. % and optimum magnetic properties can be