Crystal structure and morphology of electrodeposited zinc-iron binary alloys

Deposits of zinc-iron alloy have been prepared galvanostatically from a sulphate bath and the crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements. The electrodeposited zinc-iron alloys have metastable structures and the individual phases coexist over wide composition ranges. The phases are identified as (10073 at % zinc), (8748 at % zinc), ₁(7862 at % zinc) and (620 at % zinc). Thec andc/a in the h.c.p. lattice of the -phase decrease continuously with decrease of zinc concentrations, and the latter changes from 1.86 to 1.60 (a andc are the lattice constants of the -phase in the direction of thea- andc-axes, respectively). The -phase particles exhibit a hexagonal plate-like morphology which is thin in the direction of thec-axis. The morphology of the electrodeposits changes from plate-like to pyramidal shape when fine -phase particles (100 nm) start to form surrounding the -phase platelets, and then to lenticular or granular in the /₁ duplex region. The -phase forms in the low zinc concentration region and changes the electrodeposits to a fine cuboidal morphology.