Electrodeposition of nanocrystalline Ni–Cu alloy from environmentally friendly lactate bath

A new environmentally friendly electroplating bath for Ni–Cu alloy deposition was developed. Lactic acid was used as a complexing agent. The influence of bath composition, current density, pH and temperature on cathodic polarization, cathodic current efficiency and alloy composition was studied. Different proportions of the two metals were obtained by using different deposition parameters, but at all [Ni²⁺] / [Cu²⁺] ratios studied, preferential deposition of Cu occurred and regular co‐deposition took place. The Ni content of the deposit increased with Ni²⁺ content and current density and decreased with temperature. The surface morphology of the deposited Ni–Cu alloy was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The crystal structure was examined using the X‐ray diffraction technique. The results showed that the deposits consisted of a single solid solution phase with a face‐centered cubic structure. The crystallite size lies in the range of 12 to 25 nm for as‐plated alloys. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrodeposition of zinc + cobalt alloys.: Relation between the electrochemical response and the composition and morphology of the deposits

The electrodeposition of cobalt and zinc + cobalt alloy in aqueous chloride solution has been studied on vitreous carbon electrodes under different concentration conditions (total concentration of metallic ion 0.1 mol dm ⁻³, chloride ion 1 mol dm ⁻³, pH = 3), particularly during the initial stages of the deposition process. For the alloy a relation has been found between the shape of the current-time transients, the morphology of the deposits, the stripping analysis and the results of X-ray microanalysis. The different alloy phases present in the deposits were identified using X-ray microanalysis data, stripping voltammetry results and literature data.The results indicate that the electrocrystallization of cobalt is inhibited even at very low concentrations of zinc in solution: voltammetric and galvanostatic results indicate that the deposition potentials always correspond to more negative values than those for cobalt deposition. This inhibition depends strongly on both the metallic ion ratio in solution and the applied overpotential (or current density). For Zn(II)/Co(II) ratios greater than 1/9, low overpotentials (or low current densities) favoured homogeneous and compact deposits that were rich in zinc and were mainly composed of γ-phases of zinc + cobalt alloy. However, when high overpotentials or current densities were used and/or when the Zn(II)/Co(II) ratio was very low (< 1/9), dendritic and non-homogeneous cobalt-rich deposits were obtained.     

Conditional Stability Constant Determination of Metal-Fulvic Acid Complexes

Abstract

Conditional stability constants for metal complexes of a terrestrial fulvic acid were determined using an ion-exchange chromatography—atomic absorbance spectroscopy method. Employing the Scatchard model, conditional stability constants were determined for the metal (II) fulvic acid complexes of cadminum, copper, lead, nickel, manganese, and zinc. The order of metal binding by the fulvic acid was determined to be: Cu > Ni > Pb > Zn > Cd > Mn. Complexes of weakly bound metal ions were determined with an added metal ion concentration of 2 × 10^–5 M to 1 × 10^–4 M while complexes of strongly bound metal ions were determined with an added metal ion concentration of 1 × 10^–5 M to 8 × 10^–4 M. The fulvic acid concentration was kept constant at 4 × 10^–4 M. The effect of pH and ionic strength on the copper-fulvic acid complex also was investigated.     

Statistical optimizing of electrocoagulation process for the removal of Cr(VI) using response surface methodology and kinetic study

Optimization of electrocoagulation (EC) using copper electrode in terms of Cr(VI) removal from simulated waste water was executed by applying surface methodology and kinetic study. In this research, electrocoagulation process was applied to evaluate the outcome of operational parameters such as initial Cr(VI) concentration, pH, electrode distance, current density and supporting electrolyte (NaCl) concentration for the removal of Cr(VI). The experimental results showed that current density of 41.32 A/m², electrode distance of 1.4 cm, initial pH of 5.65, time of electrocoagulation of 40 min and initial conductivity 0.21 ms are the optimal operating parameters to attain 93.33% removal efficiency of Cr(VI) ions from simulated waste water. The high value of R² = 98.15 and R²_adj = 96.49 show that fitted model confirms a good agreement with the real and predicted Cr(VI) removal percentage. It was concluded that Cr(VI) ion removal follows the first-order kinetic model by kinetic study of EC process.     

Catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of copper(II) on a carbon paste electrode

A catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of copper(II) on a carbon paste electrode (PCE) in an alizarin red S (ARS)-K₂S₂O₈ system is proposed. In this method, copper(II) is effectively enriched by both the formation and adsorption of a copper(II)-ARS complex on the PCE, and is determined by catalytic stripping voltammetry. The catalytic enhancement of the cathodic stripping current of the Cu(II) in the complex results from a redox cycle consisting of electrochemical reduction of Cu(II) ion in the complex and subsequent chemical oxidation of the Cu(II) reduction product by persulfate, which reduces the contamination of the working electrode from Cu deposition and also improves analytical sensitivity. In Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 4.56±0.1) containing 3.6×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ ARS and 1.6×10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ K₂S₂O₈, with 180 s of accumulation at −0.2 V, the second-order derivative peak current of the catalytic stripping wave was proportional to the copper(II) concentration in the range of 8.0×10⁻¹⁰ to ∼3.0×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit was 1.6×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was evaluated by analyzing copper in water and soil.     

Electrochemical studies on Zn deposition and dissolution in sulphate electrolyte

The electrochemical deposition and dissolution of Zn on Pt electrode in sulphate electrolyte was investigated by electrochemical methods in an attempt to contribute to the better understanding of the more complex Zn–Cr alloy electrodeposition process. A decrease of the Zn electrolyte pH (from 5.4 to 1.0) so as to minimise/avoid the formation of hydroxo-products of Cr in the electrolyte for deposition of alloy coatings decreases the current efficiency for the Zn reaction, but the rate of the cathode reaction increases significantly due to intense hydrogen evolution. The results of the investigations in Zn electrolytes with pH 1.0–1.6 indicate that Zn bulk deposition is preceded by hydrogen evolution, stepwise Zn underpotential deposition (UPD) and formation of a Zn–Pt alloy. Hydrogen evolution from H₂O starts in the potential range of Zn bulk deposition. Data obtained from the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements support the assumption that electrochemical deposition of Zn proceeds at potentials more positive than the reversible potential of Zn. Anodic potentiodynamic curves for galvanostatically and potentiostatically deposited Zn layers provide indirect evidence about the dissolution of Zn from an alloy with the Pt substrate. The presumed potential of co-deposition of Cr (−1.9 V vs. Hg/Hg₂SO₄) is reached at a current density of about 300 mA cm⁻².     

Sensitive Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Copper Ions Determination Performed in Double Deposition and Double Stripping Steps System for Real Water Samples Analysis

The article reports on utilization of double deposition and stripping steps for increasing sensitivity of Cu(II) determination by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at two lead film working electrodes. A significant preconcentration of copper was achieved thanks to utilization of a simple design of four electrodes system that gives possibility to perform one measurement cycle consisting of two deposition and two stripping steps. Due to the fact that deposition step is doubled, the concentration of Pb(II) needed to lead film electrodes formation was significantly reduced as compared to traditional procedures using three electrodes system. The analytical procedure of Cu(II) determination was optimized. The experimental factors: supporting electrolyte's pH and its concentration, lead ions concentration, potential and time of deposition at both working electrodes were studied. The Cu(II) peak current was linearly dependent on its concentration from 5×10^?10 to 2×10^?8 mol L^?1 (deposition time of 270 and 160 s at the first and the second working electrode, respectively). The obtained detection limit for copper ions determination was 2.1×10^?10 mol L^?1. The described procedure was validated by analysis of two water certified reference materials. The described procedure was also utilized for real water sample analysis.     

Square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric approaches at two in situ modified electrodes as first analytical methods for the quantitative determination of a new anticancer drug candidate

The two adsorptive stripping voltammetric approaches for detection and quantitative determination of diethyl (2E)-2-{(2E)-[1-(4-methylphenyl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene]hydrazinylidene}butanedioate (DIB)—a novel molecule of medical importance—using two sensitive sensors based on modified glassy carbon electrodes as reusable sensors, were developed for the first time. The proposed electrochemical methods are based on adsorptive/reductive behaviour of DIB at two modified carbonic electrodes: a bismuth film-modified glassy carbon electrode (BiF/GCE) and a lead film-modified glassy carbon electrode (PbF/GCE). The electron gain mechanism for the electrochemical reduction of DIB on both developed sensors was proposed for the first time. To achieve the highest sensitivity in adsorptive stripping determinations, various experimental variables (e.g. the composition and pH of the supporting electrolytes, deposition conditions of bismuth and lead films, concentrations of plating solutions, accumulation times and potentials of DIB, etc.) were extensively examined. The comparison of validation parameters obtained during the determination of DIB at two sensors was presented. The excellent linear correlation was found between the monitored adsorptive stripping voltammetric peak current and the DIB concentration in the range of 15–600 μg L⁻¹ at an accumulation time of 30 s (with LOD = 4.2 μg L⁻¹ and LOQ = 14.0 μg L⁻¹) using the BiF/GCE as a sensor. Furthermore, the excellent linear relationship was confirmed between the monitored adsorptive stripping voltammetric peak current and the DIB concentration in the range of 9–900 μg L⁻¹ at an accumulation time of 10 s (with better LOD = 1.5 μg L⁻¹ and LOQ = 5.0 μg L⁻¹), employing the PbF/GCE as a sensor. The two optimized adsorptive stripping voltammetric approaches—as facile, sensitive, reliable and inexpensive—were successfully used as first methods for the quantitative analysis of a novel anticancer agent (DIB) in its pure pharmaceutically acceptable form. However, the practical applicability of square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of the electroactive DIB molecule at a PbF/GCE, as the modified electrode of higher sensitivity, was presented after its successful solid phase extraction from a real serum sample.

     

Development of a voltammetric method for the determination of iron(III) in Zn-Fe alloy galvanic baths

A square wave voltammetric method whith a static mercury drop electrode (SMDE) was developed for the quantitative determination of iron (III) in Zn-Fe alloy galvanic baths. Real alloy bath samples were analyzed by the standard addition method and recovery tests were carried out. 0.50 mol L^–1 sodium citrate (pH 6.0) or 0.20 mol L^–1 oxalic acid (pH 4.0) were applied as supporting electrolytes resulting in both cases in a peak potential of about –0.20 V vs. Ag|AgCl (saturated KCl). The iron (III) concentration in the alloy bath was 9.0 × 10^–4 mol L^–1. A good correlation (r = 0.9999) was achieved between the iron (III) concentration and the peak current in the electrolytes studied, with linear response ranges from 1.0 × 10^–6 to 1.2 × 10^–4 mol L^–1. Interference levels for some metals such as copper (II), lead (II), chromium (III) and manganese (II) that can hinder the Zn-Fe alloy deposition were evaluated; only copper (II) interferes seriously. Received: 4 April 2000 / Revised: 19 June 2000 / Accepted: 22 June 2000     

Cadmium electrodeposition on copper substrate for cyclotron production of <Superscript>111</Superscript>In radionuclide

^natCd electrodeposition on a copper substrate was investigated for production of ¹¹¹In radionuclide. The electrodeposition experiments were carried out by alkaline plating baths. Operating parameters such as pH, temperature, and current density are also optimized. The current efficiency was measured at different current densities. The optimum conditions of the cadmium electrodeposition were as follows: 2.35 g L⁻¹ cadmium, pH = 13, DC current density of ca 4.27 mA cm⁻² at 25 °C temperature with 62.48 μm thickness. SEM photomicrographs demonstrated fine-grained structure of the deposit obtained from the optimum bath.     

Unusual example of induced codeposition of tungsten. Galvanic formation of Cu–W alloy

The codeposition of tungsten with copper was studied. Thin, compact and hard micrometer-thick layers of a new, advanced Cu–W alloy with W content of above 10 at.% (26 wt.%) have been obtained by electrodeposition. The alloy was deposited on silver substrate from citrate plating baths under conditions of constant current and high tungstate–copper ion concentration ratio. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the alloys. The obtained results provide evidence for the first successful codeposition of significant amount of tungsten with a metal other than the one belonging to the triad iron group.     

Mutual Influence of Electrode Processes during Electrodeposition of Layered Structures by a Single-Bath Method: Effect of Nickel Deposition and Hydrogen Evolution on the Mass Transfer of Copper in a Sulfosalicylate Electrolyte

The work justifies the selection of a sulfosalicylate copper–nickel electrolyte and its composition for obtaining nanostructures comprising alternate magnetic and nonmagnetic layers by a single-bath method. According to calculations of an equilibrium composition of the electrolyte and electrodiffusion fluxes of discharging species, in a neutral region of pH copper exists in the form of multicharged anions CuSSA^3–, and the migration effects must reduce the rate of the mass transfer of copper-containing species with increasing current of the parallel reaction of discharge of nickel ions. Dependences of the partial current density of copper deposition on the electrode potential are studied at various values of pH of the copper and copper–nickel electrolytes. Experimental results are analyzed on the basis of modeling concepts. It is shown that the drop of the partial current density of copper deposition below its limiting value at potentials of deposition of a magnetic layer is connected with the emergence of migration effects.     

AGNES at vibrated gold microwire electrode for the direct quantification of free copper concentrations

The free metal ion concentration and the dynamic features of the metal species are recognized as key to predict metal bioavailability and toxicity to aquatic organisms. Quantification of the former is, however, still challenging. In this paper, it is shown for the first time that the concentration of free copper (Cu²⁺) can be quantified by applying AGNES (Absence of Gradients and Nernstian equilibrium stripping) at a solid gold electrode. It was found that: i) the amount of deposited Cu follows a Nernstian relationship with the applied deposition potential, and ii) the stripping signal is linearly related with the free metal ion concentration. The performance of AGNES at the vibrating gold microwire electrode (VGME) was assessed for two labile systems: Cu-malonic acid and Cu-iminodiacetic acid at ionic strength 0.01 M and a range of pH values from 4.0 to 6.0. The free Cu concentrations and conditional stability constants obtained by AGNES were in good agreement with stripping scanned voltammetry and thermodynamic theoretical predictions obtained by Visual MinteQ. This work highlights the suitability of gold electrodes for the quantification of free metal ion concentrations by AGNES. It also strongly suggests that other solid electrodes may be well appropriate for such task. This new application of AGNES is a first step towards a range of applications for a number of metals in speciation, toxicological and environmental studies for the direct determination of the key parameter that is the free metal ion concentration.     

Local electrochemical studies of the microstructural corrosion of AlCu4Mg1 as-cast aluminium alloy and influence of applied strain

The microstructure of AlCu4Mg1 as-cast aluminium alloy was first determined by means of field emission-scanning electron microscope with an integrated electron dispersion spectrometer, secondary ion mass spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Large precipitates (Al₂Cu, Al–Si–Mn–Fe–Cu, oxides) were located at grain boundaries, whereas small particles (aluminium, magnesium and copper) were present in grains. The electrochemical response and pitting susceptibility of sites containing precipitates were then investigated after polishing using the electrochemical microcell technique. After straining, big scattering was observed in the electrochemical response. The most active places corresponded to the sites containing wide microcracks and severe damages in the matrix. In this case, the corrosion potential was around −1,000 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, and the current in the passive domain was five times higher than on the strained matrix. In the absence of severe damage in the matrix or wide microcracks, the corrosion potential was more anodic and the current density in the passive range was around 0.5 mA cm⁻². Local polarisation curves carried out in sites containing large precipitates and no defects induced by straining were very close to those obtained in grains far from precipitates.     

Organic Additive-derived Films on Cu Electrodes Promote Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to C2+ Products Under Strongly Acidic Conditions

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) at low pH is desired for high CO₂ utilization; the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a challenge. High alkali cation concentration at a high operating current density has recently been used to promote electrochemical CO₂R at low pH. Herein we report an alternative approach to selective CO₂R (>70 % Faradaic efficiency for C₂₊ products, FE_C2+) at low pH (pH 2; H₃PO₄/KH₂PO₄) and low potassium concentration ([K⁺]=0.1 M) using organic film-modified polycrystalline copper (Modified-Cu). Such an electrode effectively mitigates HER due to attenuated proton transport. Modified-Cu still achieves high FE_C2+ (45 % with Cu foil /55 % with Cu GDE) under 1.0 M H₃PO₄ (pH≈1) at low [K⁺] (0.1 M), even at low operating current, conditions where HER can otherwise dominate.     

Extraction—spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol and a long-chain quaternary ammonium salt

A simple and highly sensitive extraction—spectrophotometric determination of copper (II) is described. The ion-associate formed between the copper(II)—4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) anion and tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (TDBA) is extracted with chloroform at pH 9.7. The absorption maximum of the extracted species occurs at 510 nm, the molar absorptivity being 8.05 (± 0.07) × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1. Beer's Law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.1–0.5 μg Cu ml^-1. The composition of the ion-associate is estimated to be [Cu(PAR)₂(TDBA)₂]. The conditional extraction constant is log K'_ex ≈ 8. The interference of some cations and anions is studied. The method is suitable for analysis of waters.     

Development of [(2E,6E)-2,6-bis(4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene)cyclohexanone] as fluorescence-on probe for Hg2+ ion detection: Computational aided experimental studies

Selective metal ion detection is highly desired in fluorometric analysis. In the current study a curcumin-based fluorescence-on probe/[(2E,6E)-2,6-bis(4-(dimethylamino) benzylidene) cyclohexanone]/probe was designed for the removal of one of the most toxic heavy metal ion i.e. Hg²⁺. The structure of the probe was confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis displaying distinctive peaks. The complex formation between probe and Hg²⁺ ion was also studied by density functional theory to support the experimental results. Chelation enhanced fluorescence was observed upon interaction with Hg²⁺ ion. Different parameters like pH, effect of mercury ion concentration, contact time, interference study and effect of probe concentration on the fluorescence enhancement were also investigated. A rapid response was detected for Hg²⁺ ion with limit of detection and quantification as 2.7 nM and 3 nM respectively with association constant of 1 × 10¹¹ M^?2. The probe displayed maximum fluorescence intensity at physiological pH. The results showed that the synthesized probe can be employed as an excellent probe for the detection and quantification of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous samples with high selectivity and sensitivity due to its higher binding energy and larger charge transferring ability.     

Anodic polarization of Al-Sn alloy in H3PO4 solutions

The anodic polarization behaviour of Al-Sn alloy (5.6% Sn) was studied in aerated 1, 1.5 and 2 M H₃PO₄ acid solutions using potentiodynamic and potentiostatic techniques. Anodic behaviour of Al and Sn metals was investigated for comparison. The results show that the alloy exhibits active-passive transition behaviour. The passivation of the examined alloy is due to the formation of oxide film for both Al and Sn incorporated with their phosphates. In general, at constant concentration of PO₄ ³⁻ ion, the passive current density (I _pass) is decreased with increase of pH in the range 2.5–5. Further, the influence of Cl⁻ ions on the passivity of the given alloy was studied. It was found that the aggressive effect of Cl⁻ ions on the passive film is inhibited with increase in phosphate concentration and pH. However, the addition of organic compounds (2- and 3-picoline and 2-aminopyridine) shows that only 2-aminopyridine inhibited the attack of Cl⁻ ions. Received: 24 October 1997 / Accepted: 5 February 1998     

Optimisation of mercury film deposition on glassy carbon electrodes: evaluation of the combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential

The combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential in the characteristics of thin mercury film electrodes plated on glassy carbon surfaces are evaluated. Charges of deposited mercury are used as an experimental parameter for the estimation of the effectiveness of the mercury deposition procedure. The sensitivity of the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method for the determination of lead at in situ and at ex situ formed thin mercury films are also examined. It was concluded that, in acidic solutions (pH 2.5-5.7) and fairly negative deposition potentials, e.g. −1.3 to −1.5 V, thiocyanate ion promotes the formation of the mercury film, in respect both to the amount of deposited mercury and to the mercury deposition rate. Also, the mercury coatings produced in thiocyanate solutions are more homogeneous, as depicted by microscopic examinations. In the presence of thiocyanate there is no obvious advantage of using high concentrations of mercury and/or high deposition times for the in situ and ex situ preparation of the mercury film electrodes. The optimised thin mercury film electrode ex situ prepared in a 5.0 mM thiocyanate solution of pH 3.4 was successfully applied to the ASV determination of lead and copper in acidified seawater (pH 2). The limit of detection (3σ) was 6×10⁻¹¹ M for lead and 2×10⁻¹⁰ M for copper for a deposition time of 5 min. Relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) of <1.2% were obtained for determinations at the nanomolar of concentration level.     

Antibacterial,DFT and molecular docking studies of metformin complex as active material for the fabrication of copper (II) selective potentiometric sensor

The prepared and characterized metformin ‐copper (II) complex was used as elecroactive material for modification of a new sensitive and selective modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) for the potentiometric determination of copper (II) in water samples. The performance characteristics of MCPE were carried out. The electrode showed perfect potentiometric response for Cu (II) over concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?6 – 5.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with divalent slope value 30.8 ± 0.92 mV decade^?1 over the pH range of 2–6 and exhibits fast response time of 9 s. Also, this electrode exhibited good selectivity towards Cu (II) ions with respect to other metal ions. The obtained results using the proposed electrode were in a good agreement with those obtained using the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.