Studies of the Action of Organic Compounds at the Surface During the Electrodeposition of Nickel

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Synopsis Three types of experiments were performed which are important in understanding the action of organic compounds at the surface during the electrodeposition of nickel: X-ray diffraction analysis of nickel electrodeposits; cathode potential studies; and adsorption studies. Organic compounds differed in their ability to alter the grain size and the degree and type of preferred orientation. In general ductile deposits were associated with a (100) preferred orientation and brittle deposits were associated with an orientation other than (100). The ability of the organic compounds to increase the cathodic polarization was dependent upon (1) the acidic or basic character of the compound, (2) the size of the molecule, and (3) the number of available pairs of electrons in the molecule. Available pairs of electrons are defined as those which are capable of being shared with other atoms through association or chemical reaction without breaking completely the original bond between the atoms involved. Preliminary measurements were made of the adsorption of organic compounds from solution on single crystals of copper by analysing the ellipticity imparted to plane-polarized light upon reflection from the surface. The adsorption measurements were correlated with the cathode potential results.