Electrochemical characterization of Fe-Ni-P alloy electrodeposition

In this study we have investigated the electrodeposition of amorphous iron-nickel-phosphorus alloys from a sulfate electrolyte. Fe-Ni alloys are known to exhibit an 'anomalous' type of plating behaviour in which deposition of the less noble metal is favoured. We have found that the codeposition of phosphorus from hypophosphite in the electrolyte led to a reversal to a 'normal' behaviour. This reversal was due both to the suppression of iron and enhancement of nickel partial currents. The overall deposition process is dominated by the hydrogen evolution reaction. This is exacerbated by the low pH needed to codeposit sufficient phosphorus to achieve an amorphous structure.