Factors Affecting the Electrodeposition of Aluminum Metal in an Aluminum Chloride–Urea Electrolyte Solution

• Published in: Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society (Taipei) 2017-12, Vol.64 (12), p.1467-1477
• Main Authors: Prabu, Samikannu, Wang, Hong‐Wen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AlCl3; Aluminum; Aluminum chloride; Current efficiency; Dilution; Electrodeposition; Electrolytes; Electron microscopy; Electroplating; Energy consumption; Ionic liquids; Scanning electron microscopy; Stirring; Toluene; Urea; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0009-4536; 2192-6549
• DOI: 10.1002/jccs.201700191

Electrodeposition of aluminum metal using an AlCl3–urea ionic liquid electrolyte at room temperature is studied. The molar ratio of AlCl3/urea, addition of toluene, stirring speed, deposition duration, and temperature are the major factors that affect the deposition of aluminum. The electroplating is carried out at temperatures in the range 20–60°C at a stirring speed 0–80 rpm using bias of 1 V applied for 2 h. The aluminum electrodeposition is enhanced at a high molar ratio of AlCl3/urea using 20% diluted toluene electrolyte. The microstructure of the deposited aluminum layer is examined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current density is found to decrease with the duration and at lower temperatures. In this study, a current efficiency as high as ~89.98% could be obtained at 60°C. Electrodeposition of aluminum metal using an AlCl3–urea ionic liquid electrolyte at room temperature is studied. Current efficiency as high as ~89.98% is obtained at 60°C.