Technologies for the Electrodeposition of Metals and Alloys: Electrolytes and Processes

Abstract

A wide range of metals and alloys can be electrodeposited from aqueous solutions. These include most of the mid- and late transition metals, the precious metals, and some of the 4p, 5p and 6p elements. Some early transition metals (V, Mo, W) as well as the elements P and B can be co-deposited only simultaneously with the deposition of the iron group metals. Highly reactive elements cannot be electrodeposited due to their low redox potentials; the dissociation of the solvent is highly competitive with the reduction of these elements and the electrode cannot be made to assume the potential required for their reduction.