Magnetic properties of CoP alloys electrodeposited at room temperature

CoP alloys have been electrodeposited at room temperature from electrolytes with different pH values and their magnetic properties have been studied. Cracks and fractures appear when using stiff substrates, showing that high internal stresses, due to hydrogen evolution, are involved in the electrodeposition process. Samples electrodeposited onto flexible substrates do not show cracks on the surface. We also report an increment in the coercivity of the alloys when the pH of the electrolyte decreases, and therefore, the hydrogen evolution and the internal stresses increase. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.