Electrodeposition of MnAs-Based Thin-Film as a Possible Promising Candidate in Spintronics Applications

Abstract

A thin film material obtained by Mn As co-electrodeposition was electrochemically deposited. Electrodeposition was chosen because is a versatile and easily scalable technique with low costs, and achievable under ambient conditions in water solution. These advantages are often unmatched by the typical production routes of spintronic materials. The use of different substrates was investigated, and the optimal deposition conditions were sought to reach the required morphology and composition, considering also the influence of pH and O2.
The deposition conditions were optimized using multivariate analysis. The samples were characterized morphologically, crystallographically, and compositionally with SEM-EDS, XRD, and XPS, suggesting that the deposit chemical composition was predominantly constituted by MnAs and MnO2. Magnetic characterization performed with a SQUID magnetometer showed that the sample disclose a ferromagnetic component. MnAs and MnO2 are known to have properties suitable for applications in spintronics, making this system interesting as an alternative for spintronic-based devices.