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 °C is retained, whereas Co3W phase could be observed in the coatings heat treated at 600 and 800 °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.