Electrodeposition in Magnetic Fields

Abstract

A previous report described the influence of magnetic fields (B) on the process of electrothinning of metals. Stirring effects observed at the cathodes of the cells during these experiments suggested that applied B might affect significant changes in the characteristics of electrodeposits. This was investigated for the deposition of Cu from CuSo4 - saturated H2O solutions. The substrates used for deposition were double, 3mm diameter Cu grids. Experiments with the grids suspended at several different orientations with respect to the applied B have shown that significant changes in the morphology of the deposits can be produced. For example, with a Cu grid suspended horizontally in the electrolyte and B = 7.4 k G applied parallel to the plane of the grid, the original square shape of the grid openings is retained to a much greater extent (Fig. 1a) in comparison to the results obtained without applied B (Fig. 1b).