The electrodeposition of Zn-Ti alloys from ZnCl2-urea deep eutectic solvent

The electrochemical behavior of Ti(IV) and the electrodeposition of Zn-Ti alloys were investigated in a ZnCl2-urea (1:3 molar ratio) deep eutectic solvent containing 0.27 mol L-1 TiCl4. The electrochemical reduction of Ti(IV) to Ti was complicated by the formation of intermediate oxidation states of Ti(III) and Ti(II), as well as the precipitation of TiCl3. It was possible to prepare Zn-Ti alloys containing 5.8-16.7 at.% Ti. The composition and surface morphology of Zn-Ti alloys depended on deposition potential and temperature. The deposits could be indexed to a disordered hexagonal close-packed structure similar to pure Zn and were completely chloride-free. The current efficiency for the deposition of Zn-Ti alloys varied from 38.4 to 67.9 %.