How magnetic fields can be used for controlling the electrochemical deposition of metal


How magnetic fields can be used for controlling the electrochemical deposition of metal

Mutschke, G.; Mühlenhoff, S.; Yang, X.; Eckert, K.; Tschulik, K.; Uhlemann, M.; Fröhlich, J.; Bund, A.

The contribution attempts to give an overview of recent results regarding the influence of magnetic fields on the electrochemical deposition of metal. Magnetic fields give rise to forces on the electrolyte which, if properly applied, can be useful. Lorentz forces have been known long-since for causing convection of the electrolyte, and thus, to affect mass transfer. In case of homogeneous magnetic fields at vertical electrodes, a short detour to fluid mechanics helps to better understand the resulting changes in mass transfer and the convection pattern. Two different ways of achieving desired properties by tailored magnetic fields are discussed. For vertical electrodes, despite of the influence of buoyancy, inhomogeneous magnetic fields can be utilized for improving the uniformity of the metal deposit [1]. On the contrary, magnetic fields can also be beneficial for obtaining a desired non-uniform deposition at length scales down to the micrometer range. Here, the magnetic Kelvin force becomes important if para- or diamagnetic ions are exposed to inhomogeneous magnetic fields. In both examples, simulations and experimental results will be presented which elucidate the interplay of forces, the electrolyte flow and the effect on mass transfer [2,3].
References:
[1] Mühlenhoff, S.; Mutschke, G.; Uhlemann, M.; Yang, X.; Odenbach, S.; Fröhlich, J.; Eckert, K.; On the homogenization of the thickness of Cu deposits by means of MHD convection within small dimension cells. Electrochem. Comm. 36 (2013) 80–83.
[2] Mutschke, G.; Tschulik, K.; Uhlemann, M.; Bund, M.; Fröhlich, J.: Comment on "Magnetic Structuring of Electrodeposits". Phys. Rev. Lett. 109 (2012) 229401.
[3] Uhlemann, M.; Tschulik, K.; Gebert, A.; Mutschke, G.; Fröhlich, J.; Bund, A.; Yang, X.; Eckert, K.: Structured Electrodeposition in Magnetic Gradient Fields. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 220 (2013) 287-302.

Keywords: Electrodeposition; magnetic field; layer thickness; Lorentz force; Kelvin force; numerical simulation

  • Lecture (Conference)
    Electrochemistry 2014, 22.-24.09.2014, Mainz, Deutschland

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Publ.-Id: 20417