H3O+-dependent morphological change in the electrochemical deposition of iron

By in situ optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we investig ate the morphology of the iron electrodeposit grown at different H3O+ conce ntration in the electrolyte. The chemical composition of the electrodeposit is analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy. It seems that the morphological transitions observed in this system do not relate to the oxidation/passivation of the metallic deposit during the growth. The possi ble origin of the dependence of deposit morphology on the H3O+ in the elect rolyte is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.