Effects of Rotating Magnetic Fields on Nickel Electro-Deposition

Abstract

Numerous studies concerning the electro-deposition in the presence of the magneticfield have been published in the past years. 1‐8 All these investigations are involved in the application of static magnetic field. So far, less emphasis has been focused on the employment of alternative magneticfield in electro-deposition, and all the relevant reports are about using alternative magnetic field as an electrochemical method, 5,9 rather than an engineering approach. The crucial difference between the alternative magnetic field and the static one in terms of the effect on electrodeposition is the induced electric field. The alternative magnetic field thus may produce some specific influences on the charged ions in the electrolysis system. Inthispaper,theeffectsofalternativemagneticfieldontheproperties of nickel electro-deposition were examined. The alternative magnetic field was generated by spinning permanent magnets. Special attention was paid to the relationship between the magnets’ rotating speed and the nickel deposit’s surface morphology and preferred orientation. The characterization of the deposited nickel was conducted by electrochemical tests, SEM, AFM, and XRD techniques.