Impact of Direct and Pulsed Electrodeposition Mode on the Electrochemical, Structural, and Morphological Properties of Ni-Fe Nanostructures Coatings

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2026-2-13

Keywords:

Ni-Fe nanostructures, Electrodeposition method, Coatings, ITO substrate

Abstract

Nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) nanostructured alloys are attracting increasing interest due to their remarkable electrochemical, magnetic, and mechanical properties, making them particularly attractive for applications in electrocatalysis, energy storage, sensors, and functional coatings. This study presents a comparative analysis of the electrochemical, structural, and morphological characteristics of nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) nanostructures synthesized in sulfate electrolytes on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates through various electrodeposition methods. The fabricated nanostructures were characterized using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric measurements (potentiostatic steps), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electro-crystallization process was evaluated using the Scharifker-Hills model, revealing that nucleation mechanisms differed based on applied potentials. XRD analysis confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the Ni-Fe nanostructures, with a preferred <111> crystallographic orientation and a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure observed in both deposition modes. The crystallite sizes were determined as 9.77 nm under pulsed conditions and 14.63 nm for the direct method. AFM surface analyses further demonstrated that the choice of electrodeposition method significantly influences the morphological features of the resulting deposits.

References

J.W. Gooch, Lead-Based Paint Handbook, (Kluwer, New York, 2006), pp. 13–33.

A.S.H. Makhlouf, I. Tiginyanu, (Eds.), Nanocoatings and ultra-thin films: Technologies and applications, (Elsevier, 2011).

Q. Zhau, M.H. Chua, P.J. Ong, J.J.C. Lee, K.L.O. Chin, S. Wang, D. Kai, et al., Mater. Today Adv. 15, 100270 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtadv.2022.100270

A. S. Samra, S. Zafar, M. Ahmad, M. Husnain, R. Kahraman, B. Mansoor, K. Ali, and R.A. Shakoor, Mater. Sci. Eng. B, 327, 119222 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2026.119222

H. Xing, Z. Shi, S. Yang, and R. Zhang, J. Indian Chem. Soc., 103(3), 102458 (2026), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jics.2026.102458

Y. Achour, Y. Benkrima, I. Lefkaier, and D. Belfennache, J. Nano- Electron. Phys. 15(1), 01018 (2023). https://doi.org/10.21272/jnep.15(1).01018

Y. Benkrima, A.M. Ghaleb, D. Belfennache, R. Yekhlef, and A. Benameur, Funct. Mater. 30 (3), 350 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15407/fm30.03.350

G. Wang, Z. Liu, J. Niu, W. Huang, and B. Wang, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 9, 253 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.10.053

P.K. Rai, and A. Gupta, Mater Today Proc. 44, 1079 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.11.182

S. Mahdid, D. Belfennache, D. Madi, M. Samah, R. Yekhlef, and Y. Benkrima, J. Ovonic. Res. 19(5), 535-545 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15251/JOR.2023.195.535

Y. Li, Z. Yang, H. Han, M. Liu, M. Zhang, Z. Wang, and T. Wu, J. Mater. Res. Technol. 15. 924 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.08.077

M.H. Sliem, K. Shahzad, V.N. Sivaprasad, R.A. Shakoor, A.M. Abdullah, O. Fayyaz, R. Kahraman, and M.A. Umer, Surf. Coatings Technol. 403, 126340 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126340

L. Huang, Q. Dai, W. Huang, and X. Wang, Appl. Surf. Sci. 572, 51534 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151534

J. Guo, P. Qin, Z. Ma, Q-L. Yang, J. Feng, Z-H. Ge, Scr. Mater. 164, 71 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2019.01.039

C. Dong, R. Wang, and S. Guo, Coatings, 9, 1854 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9120820

C. Liu, F. Su, and J. Liang, Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 28, 2489 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-6326(18)64895-2

A. Gupta, and C. Srivastava, Philos. Mag. 101, 2036 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2021.1949067

V. Torabinejad, M. Aliofkhazraei, A.S. Rouhaghdam, and M.H. Allahyarzadeh, Mater. Corros. 68, 347 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.201609071

M.R.Z. Meymian, A. Ghaffarinejad, R. Fazli, and A.K. Mehr, Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 593, 124617 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.124617

X. Hu, and N. Qu, Thin Solid Films, 700, 137923 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2020.137923

F. Saker, L. Remache, D. Belfennache, K.R. Chebouki, and R. Yekhlef, Chalcogenide Lett. 22(2), 151 (2025). https://doi.org/10.15251/CL.2025.222.151

Y. Bellal, A. Bouhank, D. Belfennache, and R. Yekhlef, East Eur. J. Phys. (1), 170 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2025-1-16

F. Hadji, Y. Rassim, D. Belfennache, R. Yekhlef, N. Bounar, M.A. Bradai, M. Hemdan, and M.A. Ali, Egypt. J. Chem. 68, 63 (2025). https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2024.283147.9600

R. Ouldamer, D. Madi, and D. Belfennache, in: Advanced Computational Techniques for Renewable Energy Systems, IC-AIRES, 2022, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, 591, edited by M. Hatti, (Springer, Cham. 2023). pp. 700-705. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-21216-1_71

I. Gurrappa, and L. Binder, Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 9(4), (2008) https://doi.org/10.1088/1468-6996/9/4/043001

H. Li, X. Zhao, S. Cao, K. Li, M. Chen, Z. Xu, J. Lu, and L. Zhang, Appl. Surf. Sci. 263, 163 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.09.022

A.R. Boccaccini, S. Keim, R. Ma, Y. Li, and I. Zhitomirsky, J. R. Soc. Interface. 7, S581 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2010.0156.focus

A. Chavez-Valdez, M.S.P. Shaffer, and A.R. Boccaccini, J. Phys. Chem. B, 117, 1502 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1021/jp3064917

L. Hasniou, B. Nessark, and N. Maouche, Russ. J. Appl. Chem. 90, 633 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1070427217040206

N. Maouche, M. Guergouri, S. Gam-Derouich, M. Jouini, B. Nessark, and M.M. Chehimi, J. Electroanal. Chem, 685, 21 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2012.08.020

Z. Ait-Touchente, H.E. el-Jamine Sakhraoui, N. Fourati, C. Zerrouki, N. Maouche, R. Touzani, N. Yaakoubi, et al., Proceedings. MDPI, 2(13), 1004 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2131004

O. Dilmi, and M. Benaicha, Russ. J. Electrochem. 53, 140 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193517020045

B. Scharifker, and G. Hills, Electrochim. Acta. 28, 879 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4686(83)85163-9

D. Pletcher, R. Greff, R. Peat, L.M. Peter, and J. Robinson, Instrumental methods in electrochemistry, 317-355 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782420545.317

A. Saraby-Reintjes, and M. Fleischmann, Electrochim. Acta. 29, 557 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4686(84)87109-1

S.L. Díaz, J.A. Calderón, O.E. Barcia, and O.R. Mattos, Electrochim. Acta. 53, 7426 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2008.01.015

H. Dahms, and I.M. Croll, J. Electrochem. Soc. 112, 771 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2423692

L. Giuliani, and M. Lazzari, Electrochim. Met. 3, 45 (1968).

D. Gangasingh, and J.B. Talbot, J. Electrochem. Soc. 138, 3605 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2085466

Y. Tsuru, M. Nomura, and F.R. Foulkes. J. Appl. Electrochem. 32, 629 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020130205866

H. He, H. Liu, F. Liu, and K. Zhou, Surf. Coatings Technol. 201, 958 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2006.01.016

F.G. Cottrell, Zeitschrift für Phys Chemie, 42U, 385 (1903). https://doi.org/10.1515/zpch-1903-4229

M. Palomar‐Pardavé, M.T. Ramírez, I. González, A. Serruya, and B.R. Scharifker, J. Electrochem. Soc. 143, 1551 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1149/1.1836678

A. Azizi, A. Sahari, G. Schmerber, and A. Dinia, Int. J. Nanosci. 7, 345 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219581X08005535

S. Lamrani, A. Guittoum, R. Schäfer, S. Pofahl, V. Neu, M. Hemmous, and N. Benbrahim, EPJ Appl. Phys. 74, 30302 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap/2016150548

T. Yeh, J.M. Sivertsen, and J.H. Judy, IEEE Trans. Magn. 23, 2215 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.1987.1065272

S. Kotapati, A. Javed, N. Reeves-Mclaren, M.R.J. Gibbs, and N.A. Morley, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 331, 67 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2012.11.022

B.D. Cullity, Elements of X-Ray Diffraction, 2nd Edition, (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company Inc., Phillippines, 1978).

Y.T. Chen, and C.W. Wu, Intermetallics, 34, 89 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intermet.2012.11.006

S. Sam, G. Fortas, A. Guittoum, N. Gabouze, and S. Djebbar, Surf. Sci. 601, 4270 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susc.2007.04.107

I. Horcas, R. Fernández, J.M. Gómez-Rodríguez, J. Colchero, J. Gómez-Herrero, A.M. Baro, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78(1), 013705 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2432410

M. Neagu, M. Lozovan, M. Dobromir, L. Velicu, C. Hison, and S. Stratulat, J. Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 10, 978 (2008).

S. Lamrani, A. Guittoum, R. Schäfer, M. Hemmous, V. Neu, S. Pofahl, T. Hadjersi, and N. Benbrahim, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 396, 263 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2015.07.111

Downloads

Published

2026-06-10

How to Cite

Impact of Direct and Pulsed Electrodeposition Mode on the Electrochemical, Structural, and Morphological Properties of Ni-Fe Nanostructures Coatings. (2026). East European Journal of Physics, 2, 138-146. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2026-2-13

Most read articles by the same author(s)