ON THE DEPOSITION OF ZINC ADATOMS ON IRON FROM ALKALINE ZINCATE SOLUTION

The process of formation of zinc adatoms on iron from alkaline zincate solution at potentials more positive than the equilibrium potential o f zinc deposition has been discovered. It is shown that two states of zinc adatoms, which differ by the energy of bonding with the substrate , exist in the underpotential region. For the processes of formation a nd oxidation of zinc adatoms in the underpotential region, the quantit y (alpha n) = 2, where alpha is the coefficient of charge transfer and n is the number of electrons participating in the reaction of formati on or oxidation of the underpotential zinc deposits. An assumption is made concerning the participation of the Zn2O32- anion in these proces ses.