Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Electrodeposited Cobalt-Iron-Vanadium Thin Films

CoFeV thin film alloys were fabricated by electrodeposition, and the dependences of their magnetic properties on the current density were investigated using an X-ray diffractometer and a vibrating sample magnetometer. The deposited Co increased from about 45 to 60 wt.% with increasing current density until $25mA/cm^2$ whereas the deposited Fe decreased from about 55 to 40 wt.% with increasing current density until $25mA/cm^2$. The deposited V, about 2 wt.%, was independent of the current density. The current efficiencies of electrodeposition decreased linearly from about 40 to 29% with increasing current density. The X-ray diffraction measurement showed that all peaks of the CoFeV films were consistent with those of a typical Co hcp and Fe bcc mixed phase. An increase in the current density decreased the grain size and increased the lattice constant. The saturation magnetization increased from about 2.2 to 2.5 T with increasing current density. The coercivity measured in the perpendicular direction decreased from 260 to 120 Oe with increasing current density; a drastic drop of 60 Oe occurred at $5mA/cm^2$. The coercivity measured in the in-plane direction remained almost unchanged, at about 20 Oe, with increasing current density.