Patent ID: 7431815
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: C25D

Abstract:
1. A method for converting a certain number of ferric (Fe +3 ) ions to ferrous (Fe +2 ) ions in an electroplating bath without the addition of reducing agents, comprising: (a) providing an electroplating system comprised of a ferrous based electroplating bath having a cathode (working electrode), anode, and reference electrode immersed therein, said cathode, anode, and reference electrode are connected to a potentiostat or power source and said cathode has a substrate affixed thereto to enable electrical contact therebetween; and (b) applying an electroplating potential between the cathode and anode for a first length of time to drive an electroplating process that deposits a Fe containing alloy on said substrate, and applying a positive auxiliary potential between the working electrode and reference electrode for a certain period of time to cathodically reduce ferric ions to ferrous ions, said auxiliary potential determines the certain number of Fe