The influence of glycerol as an additive in Zinc-Manganese alloy coatings formed by electrodeposition

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the influence of glycerol (a nontoxic additive) on Zn-Mn coatings formed by electrochemical deposition. The influence of glycerol (GLY) on the electrodeposition of Zn-Mn alloys on Pt from acid baths was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Zn-Mn alloys prepared in the absence or presence of this additive showed similar voltammograms except when using GLY and boric acid (BA) concentrations at 0.63 and 0.24 M, respectively. The current efficiency of the Zn-Mn electrodeposition process ranged from 5 to 41%, due to the lowest and highest concentrations of GLY and BA, respectively. SEM images of deposits obtained at -1.53 V from baths containing 0.08-0.48 M GLY were dendritic, while those formed in the presence of 0.63 M GLY showed that GLY acted as a brightener at this concentration. The XRD analysis showed that the electrodeposits contained Zn, Mn, oxides as well as alloys of various compositions. GLY acted as a grain refiner and inhibited the codeposition of Zn with Mn and the formation of oxides.

Keywords

• electrodeposition
• Zn-Mn alloy
• polyalcohol
• cyclic voltammetry.