Cobalt electroplating from aqueous electrolytes of different anionic species

Abstract

Cobalt electroplating from various baths with nearly the same chemical constituents except for anions were studied.The baths was mainly based on acidic aqueous solutions of cobalt sulphate, cobalt chloride, cobalt bromide and cobalt acetate. The study revealed that the nature of the anions influenced to different extents each of the cathodic polarization, current efficiency, throwing power and throwing index of cobalt electroplating process from the examined baths. In addition the surface morphology and microhardness of cobalt electroplate were influenced to some extent by the employed anion.