Spontaneous formation of spiral-like patterns with distinct periodic physical properties by confined electrodeposition of Co-In disks
OPEN ACCESS
Author / Producer
Date
2016-07-27
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Spatio-temporal patterns are ubiquitous in different areas of materials science and biological systems. However, typically the motifs in these types of systems present a random distribution with many possible different structures. Herein, we demonstrate that controlled spatio-temporal patterns, with reproducible spiral-like shapes, can be obtained by electrodeposition of Co-In alloys inside a confined circular geometry (i.e., in disks that are commensurate with the typical size of the spatio-temporal features). These patterns are mainly of compositional nature, i.e., with virtually no topographic features. Interestingly, the local changes in composition lead to a periodic modulation of the physical (electric, magnetic and mechanical) properties. Namely, the Co-rich areas show higher saturation magnetization and electrical conductivity and are mechanically harder than the In-rich ones. Thus, this work reveals that confined electrodeposition of this binary system constitutes an effective procedure to attain template-free magnetic, electric and mechanical surface patterning with specific and reproducible shapes.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
6
Pages / Article No.
30398
Publisher
Nature
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Electrochemistry; Materials for devices; Surfaces, interfaces and thin films
Organisational unit
03627 - Nelson, Bradley J. (emeritus) / Nelson, Bradley J. (emeritus)