Electrodeposition of a cobalt-molybdenum alloy from an ammonia-citrate electrolyte

Abstract

Kinetics of processes of electrochemical production of a cobalt-molybdenum alloy out of an ammonia-citrate electrolyte is studied. The electrolyte's composition is similar to that used for depositing a nickel-molybdenum alloy. It is established that the cobalt-molybdenum alloy undergoes deposition at smaller values of pH (5.0–6.0) than the nickel-molybdenum alloy (7.0–9.0). The current efficiency for the cobalt-molybdenum alloy is substantially dependent on the electrolyte pH, whereas the chemical composition of the obtained deposits is practically independent of the electrolyte pH in the pH interval 5.0–8.0 at current densities of 0.025 to 0.100 A cm−2. On the other hand, a change in the electrolyte pH produces a considerable effect on the morphology of the obtained deposits. At large values of pH (pH 8.0), one can obtain a powder-like deposit of the cobalt-molybdenum alloy with a small value of the current efficiency. The deposits that are obtained in the pH region 5.0–6.0 have some cracks, with the number of cracks increasing with the electrolyte pH.