Electrodeposition of Zn–Co and Zn–Co–Fe alloys from acidic chloride electrolytes

The electrodeposition operating conditions for Zn–Co and Zn–Co–Fe alloys from chloride baths were studied. The electrodeposition was performed on a high strength steel substrate, under galvanostatic conditions, for a range of current densities at varying Co2+ and Fe2+ bath concentrations and at different temperatures. A transition current density was noticed above which a transition from normal to anomalous deposition took place. Below the transition current density electrodeposition of alloys with a higher amount of Co was obtained. Above the transition current density (i.e. in the anomalous range), both Zn–Co and Zn–Co–Fe alloys were deposited with a Co content lower than the composition reference line. This transition current density that resulted in normal to anomalous deposition was attributed to the shift in cathodic potential or polarization. However, it was found that under certain conditions the transition occurred from very high wt.% Co to almost equal to the amount of Co in the electrolyte. The increase of Fe2+ ions in the electrolyte assisted in increasing the Co content and decreasing the Zn content in the deposits. In addition, the increase of Fe2+ resulted in shifting the transition current density to a lower value. However, the cathodic current efficiency decreased with the addition of Fe2+ ions in the electrolyte.