Magnetic, chemical and structural properties of electrosynthesized CoxNi100 − x have been studied. The electrodeposition has been conducted both in the presence and absence of a low magnetic field. The application of a perpendicular magnetic field during the synthesis modified slightly the morphology of the alloys. These changes depend more on the film composition than on the applied field, as demonstrated by AFM images. In the absence of magnetic field, the CoxNi100 − x film grows along the (200) direction. However, when the magnetic field was applied, a preferential orientation along the (111) direction was observed. No important magnetic changes are induced by the presence of the magnetic field during the growth. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) experiments, the chemical composition of the films was preserved during preparation regardless of whether or not magnetic field is applied. There has been observed an increase in deposition rate in the presence of field even at these low magnetic fields.

The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MAT2012-37109-C02-02, MAT2013-47878-C2-1-R, FIS2012-38866-C05-05 and SIP-IPN (20130361)) and Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (NANOAVANSENS S2013/MIT 3029) for their financial support. S. Olvera also wishes to thank IPN-PIFI-ESIQIE and CONACYT for a scholarship.