Electrodeposition of indium and zinc on aluminium

Zinc and indium were deposited from sulphate and chloride electrolytes onto aluminium electrodes under potentiostatic conditions. The role of the anion, pH, cation concentration, cathodic potential and agitation were investigated. The deposit morphology and composition were studied by SEM and EDX. Potentiodynamic and galvanostatic techniques were also applied for product characterization. Once a critical amount of Zn was deposited preferred In deposition began without agitation. But under rotation or at low cathodic potentials Zn2+ discharge became the prevalent reaction. The results support the earlier hypothesis of the preferential adsorption of Zn ions [1].