ZnFe anomalous electrodeposition:: stationaries and local pH measurements

The kinetics of ZnFe codeposition was investigated in acid solutions. The effects of solution composition and pH were analyzed. Inhibition of H+ reduction and Fe deposition occurs with increasing Zn++ concentration in sulfate solution. An activation of Zn deposition is also observed. Increasing pH causes Zn deposition activation during ZnFe codeposition. The anomalous codeposition is also favored in chloride medium. When alloy deposition becomes the main process, the interfacial pH is governed by the individual metal deposition that controls the kinetic behavior. The interfacial pH increases during separate Fe deposition, meaning that it occurs with simultaneous consumption of H+. Individual Zn deposition brings about an H+ inhibition. A correlation between the codeposition behavior of ZnFe and ZnNi in sulfate and chloride solutions suggests that the prevailing cathodic reaction governs the interfacial pH. Anomalous codeposition process does not seem to be associated with a saturation of any thermodynamic species at the electrode surface. It can only be described by kinetic arguments. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.