Electrodeposition of zinc-cobalt alloys. Tapping mode AFM technique applied to study the initial stages of deposition

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

OSTI ID:197685

Gomez, E; Valles, E; Gorostiza, P; Servat, J; Sanz, F ^[1]

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1. Univ. de Barcelona (Spain). Dept. de Quimica Fisica

The first stages of electrodeposition of zinc-cobalt alloys on highly oriented pyro-graphite are studied by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical analysis. Low Zn(II)/Co(II) ratio (1/9) solutions are selected for this study. Potentiostatic deposition begins through the formation of randomly distributed zinc-rich nuclei on the surface, showing exclusion areas around the larger nuclei and preferential nucleation at the kink sites. At long deposition times an incipient dendritic growth, related to the initiation of pure cobalt deposition is observed. A simple AFM tip deconvolution model is used to obtain the actual dimensions of both the tip itself and the deposited nuclei. The nuclei growth mechanism observes lateral diffusion and aggregation and the formation of emerging nuclei on top of yet consolidated nuclei.

• OSTI ID: 197685
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 142; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COBALT ALLOYS
ELECTRODEPOSITED COATINGS
ELECTRODEPOSITION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROSCOPY
PYROLYTIC CARBON
REACTION KINETICS
ZINC ALLOYS