Influence of substrate, pH and magnetic field onto composition and current efficiency of electrodeposited Ni–Fe alloys

The electrodeposition of nickel–iron alloys has been studied with different conditions of pH, substrate and magnetic field induction. All experimental conditions influence the current efficiency value and the alloy composition. For low current densities, alloys obtained at pH 3 present a smaller nickel percentage onto tin substrate compared to copper substrate. In the same time, the plating efficiency is improved onto tin electrode. On the other hand, if electrolyze is realized with magnetic field superimposition, the nickel percentage and the current efficiency are together reduced. For constant conditions of pH, substrate and magnetic induction, we observe that more the efficiency current is low, more the alloy composition is rich in nickel. All these effects relating to the plating efficiency and to the Ni–Fe alloy composition are elucidated using the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).