Co-Cu granular alloys prepared by electrodeposition

Preparation of granular Cu-Co films produced by electrodeposition, from a single sulfate bath containing both cobalt ions and low concentration of copper has been investigated. Combining in-situ electrochemical and microgravimetric measurements, the kinetics of cobalt and copper reduction are presented. The thickness and deposition rates are monitored using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) during the growth of films of heterogeneous Co-Cu alloys. Structural characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic measurements have shown a superparamagnetic behavior, in agreement with the existence of very small cobalt particles imbedded in the copper matrix.