Abstract
The shape control function of propargyl alcohol (PA) in the electrodeposition of nickel onto a micropatterned substrate was simulated under the condition that the rate of PA reduction was equal to the rate of PA diffusion at every point of the cathode surface, the concept of which was derived from the results obtained in the previous paper. The function of PA was related to higher diffusion rate and higher interfacial concentration, and consequently higher surface coverage of PA at the edge of the cathode surface, as compared with those at the center of the surface. The simulation showed that the function of PA was active in the initial stage of electrodeposition; it was more effective at less negative potentials, for example at -0.80V vs. Ag/AgCl, and less effective at more negative potentials, for example at -0.85V. The simulation also showed, however, that the function became ineffective as the deposit grew, showing that the diffusion rate and the interfacial concentration tended to be uniform on the grown surface. These results of the simulation explained the experimental results well, and showed this simulation method to be useful for the investigation of the behavior of additives.
