Atomic Force Microscopy Study of Surface Morphology of Zinc‐Iron Electrodeposits

Zinc-iron alloys, composed of {eta} (hcp) phase, were electrodeposited on steel substrates from sulfate electrolyte with additions of Sn{sup 2+} ions. The deposit exhibited a morphology of hexagonal columnar crystals and a strong crystallographic texture of (00{center_dot}2) planes of {eta}-phase aligned perpendicular to the growth direction. The atomic force microscopy topographical analysis indicates that the hexagonal planes consist of both lateral macro- and numerous nanosize growth steps.