Effect of a magnetic field on electrodeposition - Chronoamperometry of Ag,Cu, Zn, and Bi

The transient current response following a stepwise decrease of potential f rom the rest potential is studied for solutions of Ag+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Bi3 +, comparing the behavior in the presence and absence of a 0.5 T magnetic f ield. In all cases, regardless of whether ions are paramagnetic (Cu2+) or d iamagnetic (Ag+, Zn2+, Bi3+), the plating current with a field increases in the Iona-time limit when the potential is stepped into the mass-transport- limited region. The results support the Aogaki model of mass-transport enha ncement due to disruption of the diffusion layer by the Lorentz force j x B . There is no effect of the magnetic field on the diffusion coefficient D d erived from the Cottrell plots. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.