Electrochemical deposition of NiMnGa alloys

L'article final d'aquest post-print canvia pacialment el títol a: "Single step electrosynthesis of NiMnGa alloys" An electrochemical synthesis route for NiMnGa alloys is presented. Thin films (TFs) of NiMnGa were fabricated by single step electrodeposition from aqueous electrolytes using direct current (DC) over a range of current densities. By meticulous electrolyte tuning, homogeneous TFs with high Ga and Mn content could be achieved at current densities as high as -400 mA cm-2. Detailed compositional analysis of the alloys showed that growth was homogeneous and oxygen content was minimized. TFs plated at very low current densities were found to be nanocrystalline/ amorphous. In order to obtain fully crystalline samples, thermal annealing was carried out. Mechanical characterization was assessed by nanoindentation, and the effect of Ga content on mechanical properties was investigated.