Electrocrystallization of Zinc Influenced by a Small Amount of Codeposited Tellurium in Alkaline Solution

Abstract

The tellurium content of the crystal deposited by electrolysis of zinc ion in alkaline solution containing a trace of tellurium ion was determined under galvanostatic or potentiostatic condi tions, and the deposits were observed by an electron microscope. The content of tellurium of the deposit was about 10-3-10-2 per cent of that of zinc and it was relatively high in the initial stage of the deposition and in the range of low current density (10-20 mA/cm²) or low overpotential (-20 mV). The deposition overpotential of "zinc increased with ion concentration in the bath. Further, The deposit with laminar structure was obtained by electrolysis in the bath containing small amount of tellurium ion.