Some aspects of the growth and structure of electroless deposited films

The electron microscope has been used to investigate the early growth of electroless CoP films and the possibility of their epitaxial deposition. Following initial nucleation on suitably prepared substrates grain growth takes place but the films preserve a distinct particulate aspect which is believed to result from the presence of phosphorus ions in the plating bath. The deposition of textured CoP and NiP films can be obtained on single crystal substrates.