Investigating the effect of ionic strength on the suppression of dendrite formation during metal electrodeposition

Abstract

The effect of ionic strength on the electrodeposition of silver has been investigated in acetonitrile (MeCN) containing TBAPF or in the ionic liquid [EMIm][OTf]. The use of an ionic liquid allows a greater ionic strength to be investigated as the solubility limits of supporting electrolytes in organic solvents can be overcome using neat ionic liquid. The SEM and XRD data show that polycrystalline silver is deposited in a fcc structure and that dendrite formation is retarded at high ionic strength. Electrochemical measurements undertaken in electrolytes of low ionic strength indicate that the deposition and growth of a few nuclei is preferred and leads to dendrite formation. However, at higher ionic strength, the deposition and growth of significantly more nuclei is observed and therefore dendrite growth rates and tip currents are lower leading to the deposition of spherical particulates. Crucially, the data shows that if the ionic strength of the electrolyte is controlled there are no differences between ionic liquids and molecular solvents for the electrodeposition of silver.

Preparation of platinum-based 'cauliflower microarrays’ for enhanced ammonia gas sensing

“…Over the last decade, nanostructures with different shapes and geometries such as nanowires [13], nanorods [14], honeycomb [15], mesoporous [16], and dendritic structures [17,18] have been reported.…”

Inhibition of lithium dendrite growth with highly concentrated ions: cellular automaton simulation and surrogate model with ensemble neural networks

“…Numerous researchers have recently reported metal electrodepositions in ionic liquid (IL)-containing electrolytes. 8,15,27–29 Among others, an experimental study by Pearson et al 29 suggests that the ionic strength plays an important role in causing substantial differences in dendrite growth between ILs and conventional organic liquid electrolytes. For example, the number of the nuclei increases and the dendrite growth rate decreases as the ionic strength is increased.…”

Directing Nanostructure Formation of Gold through the In Situ Underpotential Deposition of a Secondary Metal for the Detection of Nitrite Ions

“…Other advantages include experimental simplicity, control over shape, size and composition and good adherence to underlying supports. There is also significant flexibility in the choice of experimental parameters to achieve the desired material such as time, concentration of metal salt, changing the ionic strength of the electrolyte, the applied potential/current profile, the inclusion of surfactants, nanoparticles, micelles, hydrogen bubble templating and use of physical templates such as anodized alumina . The underpotential deposition (upd) of metals such as copper followed by its galvanic replacement with a more catalytically active metal has also been used as a method to generate active surfaces .…”