On the Theory of Electrolytic Crystal Growth

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Abstract
Equations are developed for the current as a function of applied voltage during electrolytic solution or deposition at surfaces which are perfect, atomically rough, or smooth except for the steps of screw dislocations. It is shown that the surface structure does not influence the rate of deposition if the overvoltage is sufficiently high and the time long enough, the rate determining step being ionic discharge. At low overvoltages and short times, however, the surface structure plays a decisive role in determining the deposition rate. Changes in the surface configuration during growth, such as the change from a straight to a spiral dislocation step, lead to transient effects at the start of deposition or solution.