Effects of Diammonium Citrate Concentration on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nano Structured NiFeWS Alloy Thin Films

Electro deposition of NiFeWS thin films was carried out from diammonium citrate bath at a constant current density (1 A/dm 2 ) and controlled pH of 8 by varying the citrate bath concentration(0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mol / lit). Physical properties such as surface morphology, microstructure and magnetic properties such as coercivity, saturation magnetization and magnetic flux density were investigated for electrodeposited NiFeWS soft magnetic thin films. The SEM micrographs of the electrodeposited films from the highly concentrated citrate bath (0.5 mol / lit) have no micro cracks and also the films have more uniform surface morphology. The predominant peaks in Xray diffraction pattern reveal the crystalline nature of the film and the structure belongs to FCC. From the VSM results of the coated film the various magnetic analysis such as coercivity, saturation magnetization and magnetic flux density are calculated. The hardness and adhesion of the electroplated films were also investigated. Reasons for variation in magnetic properties and structural characteristics were discussed.