Of the mechanism governing the growth of electrolessly deposited nickel-phosphorus coatings

The electroless deposition of nickel-phosphorus coatings from acetate solutions is studied. The morphology and microrelief of the coatings' surface are found to be defined by the nucleation and growth of spheroids. The spheroids form probably via a layered-growth mechanism and are markedly extended in the substrate's plane. Their dimensions, which depend on the ratio between propagation rates of two-dimensional layers in the substrate's plane and the emergence of fresh two-dimensional layers (nuclei), are measured with the aid of 3D profilography.