XRD, FESEM and XPS studies on heat treated Co-W electrodeposits

Effects of heat treatment on structure, morphology and elemental states of electrodeposited Co-W alloy coatings obtained from gluconate bath were characterized by XRD, FESEM and XPS. XRD patterns indicate that the amorphous nature of the coatings heated up to 500 degrees C is retained, whereas CO3W phase could be observed in the coatings heat treated at 600 and 800 degrees C. As seen from FESEM image the as-deposited coating was crack free, but cracks are developed in the heat treated coatings. XPS studies reveal that both Co and W are mainly present in their oxidized states in the heat treated coatings compared to as-deposited alloy. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.