Effect of citrate, tartrate and gluconate ions on the behaviour of zinc in3 M NaOH

Citrate, tartrate and gluconate are examined for their influence as additiv es to 3 M NaOH electrolyte for use with zinc. Solubility, turbidity and con ductivity measurements are presented. Electrochemical oxidation and redepos ition of zinc in the medium is investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Produ cts of electrochemical reaction are analysed by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Tartrate and gluconate appear to produce micelles in the zincate medium whe reas citrate appears to stabilize a polymeric structure in solution. Hull c ell patterns of electroplating of zinc from zincate in presence of additive s and morphology of the coatings by;SEM pictures are also discussed. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.