Modulation of magnetic and structural properties of cobalt thin films by means of electrodeposition

Cobalt electrodeposits were prepared from an electrolytic bath containing cobalt perchlorate. The effect of different species, organic (thiourea and sodium gluconate) and inorganic (boric acid), on the crystallographic structure, morphology, magnetic properties and electrochemical behaviour of cobalt electrodeposits was investigated. Amorphous cobalt, hcp cobalt and a non-usual primitive cubic cobalt phase were observed depending on the bath composition. Depending on the structure, different morphologies and magnetic properties were found. Coercivity values of the cobalt coatings ranged from around 15 Oe for amorphous, nodular deposits to 380 Oe for cobalt coatings showing acicular morphology and hcp structure with a (002) preferred orientation. Knowledge of the influence of the species on the properties of cobalt makes it possible to obtain tailored cobalt films.