Effect of ultrasound on silver electrodeposition: Crystalline structure modification

Abstract

An attractive possibility for influencing microstructures of electrodeposited coatings, and therefore their properties such as hardness, brightness etc. resides in the use of ultrasound. This method is particularly competitive as it may result in a reduction of chemical use, or even in the complete suppression of chemicals. This paper deals with silver coatings depending strongly on current density, with two main categories identified by X-ray diffraction: one poorly structured and the other following the [110] orientation. It is interesting to note that, while changing from still to mechanically stirred conditions, the value of the current density threshold moves from 2.5mAcm to 5mAcm. When ultrasound is used (575kHz or 20kHz), this coating microstructure modification threshold occurs at higher current density values when coatings are produced under sonication, while agitation is kept constant. In both cases, the shift is about 15mAcm. It is noteworthy that silver electrodeposits elaborated under 20kHz ultrasound conditions appear to be less oriented than those obtained under high frequency conditions.

Morphological Surface Study of Silver Electrodeposition by Kinetic Monte Carlo‐Embedded Atom Method

“…These electrodes are immersed in a bath containing silver ions solution such as silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) [ 45–47 ] or silver cyanide (AgCN). [ 48 ] The silver ions are transferred to neutral atoms by the following reduction equation: the silver ions Ag + in the initial state are adsorbed by the silver cathode surface and then converted to adions. [ 49 ] Through circulating electrons in electrolyte, these adions accept these electrons and finally transfer to adatoms Ag (s) .…”

Inexpensive, Three-Dimensional, Open-Cell, Fluid-Permeable, Noble-Metal Electrodes for Electroanalysis and Electrocatalysis

“…We chose to use both because the rate of electrodeposition is higher when both methods are used (Figure S7), and we experimentally concluded that the quality of the electrodeposits is better and no “failing points” or pores on the structures are observed (Figure S8). Ultrasonication is particularly helpful in the electroplating of structures of complex geometry because (i) the shock waves and macroturbulence formed in the solution during ultrasonication (from collapse of vacuum bubbles and development of pressure differences up to 1000 atm) , ensure the replenishment of the plating solution even at the least accessible points of the 3-D structures (e.g., junction points of different wires), (ii) it removes any gases (e.g., H 2 , HCN) that might influence the morphology of the electrodeposit by cavitation resulting in reduced porosity and residual stress, smoother deposits, and increased microhardness and (iii) experimental data we obtained suggest that it increases the electrodeposition rate (a higher electroplating current was observed when ultrasonication was used (Figure S7)), so it shortens the duration of the electrodeposition step.…”

A Kinetic Study of Silver Electrodeposition Onto Pt Ultramicroelectrodes From Amoniacal Solutions

“…[1] Ag coatings can be obtained by electrodeposition, since this technique allows obtaining uniform coatings with excellent quality at low-cost, and easily scalable at the industrial level. [2] Silver has been electrodeposited on Pt, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Cu, [1,2,[13][14][15][16][17] GCE, [5,16,[18][19][20][21] Au, [5,22] Si, [19,23] HOPG, [21,24] and graphene, [4] among others substrates. Plating baths based on nitrates, [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]20,23,24] cyanides, [1,4,9,[15][16][17][18]22] chloride, [5,<...>…”

“…Also, Nevers and others have reported that the use of ultrasound during silver plating can change significantly the microstructure and morphology of the silver deposits without the use of chemical additives. [8] Typically, silver electrodeposition involves working electrodes with a diameter higher than 1 mm. On this kind of electrodes different kinetic controls and different system behavior have been reported.…”