Visualizing electrochemical zinc deposition and the role of a polymer additive in the crystal growth mechanism

Electrodeposition of metals is relevant to many research fields including catalysis, batteries, antifouling, and anticorrosion coatings. Compared with hot dip galvanizing, there is significant interest in less energy and material‐intense electroplating of zinc. At present, large‐scale electroplating...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials and corrosion 2024-02, Vol.75 (2), p.146-155
Main Authors: Tiétcha, Gastelle F., Klüppel, Ingo, Kogler, Matthias, Valtiner, Markus, Mears, Laura L. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Additives
Antifouling coatings
Atomic force microscopy
Corrosion prevention
corrosion protection
Crystal growth
Dip coatings
Electrodeposition
Electroplating
Hot dip galvanizing
Ion scattering
Mica
Plating
Polymers
Steering
Zinc
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Summary:Electrodeposition of metals is relevant to many research fields including catalysis, batteries, antifouling, and anticorrosion coatings. Compared with hot dip galvanizing, there is significant interest in less energy and material‐intense electroplating of zinc. At present, large‐scale electroplating mostly uses acidic zinc solutions, containing potentially toxic additives. Alkaline electroplating of zinc offers a route to using environment‐friendly green additives. Further to the previous elucidation of the mechanism by which the polyquarternium polymer (PQ) aids the deposition of negatively charged zincate, here the nature of the coating is explored. Zinc was deposited from an electrolyte including zincate and PQ, on gold model surfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and low energy ion scattering have been used to characterize the layer and explore the crystal growth mechanism that the PQ changes and, hence, improves the coating quality. We have also used AFM of the PQ on negatively charged mica to provide further evidence for the growth mechanism interpretation. Our data demonstrate that the additive is crucial to steering the growth mechanism, offering routes to optimizing deposition. Polyquarternary ammonium polymers are well known in the galvanic industry as additives for the deposition of bright and smooth zinc layers. In diffusion‐controlled zinc deposition, the additive induces modification of zinc crystal morphology. Changes in the crystal growth mechanism are explored using atomic force microscopy and low energy ion scattering.
ISSN:0947-5117
1521-4176
DOI:10.1002/maco.202313990