An Electrochemical Approach for Development of Novel Magnetic Multicomponent Alloy Thin Films for Sensor Applications

Pavithra, C L P and Janardhan, R K S K and Ummethala, Govind and M, Chandrasekhar and Malladi, Sairam K and Dey, Suhash Ranjan (2019) An Electrochemical Approach for Development of Novel Magnetic Multicomponent Alloy Thin Films for Sensor Applications. The Electrochemical Society.

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Magnetic multi-component alloys (MCAs) are the new class of multicomponent alloys where, combination of magnetic properties can be tuned with the composition. Due to their significant performance, MCAs have been proposed as the most appropriate choice of materials for several magnetic based sensor applications such as magnetoresistive sensors, etc. At times, for each application, multilayers with specific combination of magnetic properties or morphology throughout the material is required. In such cases, composition of alloying elements plays a significant role in the magnetic behaviour. Electrochemical approach in aqueous media is the most cost-effective method and favours better control over the composition with the help of pulse parameters. Therefore, major focus of the present work is to replace the non-aqueous/organic electrolytes with aqueous electrolytes for synthesizing the MCAs with five and/or six elements through electrodeposition. To the best of our knowledge, there haven’t been any reports on deposition of five principle alloying elements by an electrochemical approach in a single step using an aqueous media. The present study reveals the details on electrochemical deposition of multicomponent alloy thin films (Fe, Co, Ni, X, Y) for magnetic sensor applications. Firstly, a single step approach to develop nanocrystalline Fe-Co-Ni-X-Y (X, Y: Transition elements) MCA thin films is presented. Subsequently, the control over composition of MCA thin films and preliminary studies on their magnetic behaviour will be discussed. Finally, tuning of the magnetic properties of MCAs, such as saturation magnetization, magnetic permeability, and coercivity with respect to composition will be discussed. Based on the performance, these MCA thin films will be categorized for specific sensor applications. As it is important to understand the microstructure and composition of these MCA thin films, preliminary characterisation has been carried out using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. For transmission electron microscopy (TEM), specimens have been prepared using focused ion beam (FIB) and analytical scanning/transmission electron microscopy including energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy have been carried out. The magnetization reversal curves for the MCA thin films were acquired initially using Kerr microscopy and detailed magnetic characterization will be carried out using physical property measurement system (PPMS) with a vibrating sample magnetometer. All the comprehensive details of this study will be discussed during the presentation.

[error in script]

IITH Creators: