Quasi-two-dimensional electrodeposition growth of Pb0.5Sn0.5 alloy

Electrodeposition of Pb0.5Sn0.5 alloy is carried out in a quasi-2D electrochemical cell. As the growth proceeds the morphologies of the deposits transit from cake-like to branched and finally to the compact morphology. We show that these morphological transitions arise from the changes in the transport mechanisms of the ions in the electrolyte cell. In addition, it is found that the current density on the growth interface can vary spontaneously due to the irregular shape of the deposit and the generation of hydrogen gas. It causes the formation of the complex microstructure with non-uniform composition. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)