Abstract
In this study, chromium plating was conducted using a deep eutectic solvent ionic liquid mixture of choline chloride, ethylene glycol, and hydrated trivalent chromium salt, containing varying amounts of added water (i.e., 3, 6, 9, and 12 mol). Physicochemical analysis showed that the addition of water improved the conductivity and reduced the viscosity of the ionic liquid bath. Cyclic and linear scan voltammetry revealed that chromium deposition involves a two-step reduction for the Cr+3 ion. The plating system’s cathode efficiency initially increased with water content, reaching a maximum of about 45% in the bath containing 6 mol of added water. Beyond this water addition, cathode efficiency subsequently declined. A black chromium deposit with a nodular microstructure was observed. The best deposit was also derived at the bath with an additional 6 mol of water. The chromium coatings possessed an average microhardness of ca. 580 HV, which approximates the properties of industrial hard chrome.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded project entitled “Establishing an Environment-Friendly Chromium Plating Process using New Generation Ionic liquids” and the Science Education Institute – DOST.
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The authors would like to acknowledge the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded project entitled “Establishing an Environment-Friendly Chromium Plating Process using New Generation Ionic liquids” and the Science Education Institute – DOST.
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GRN contributed to conceptualization, conduct of experiments, data analysis, and paper writing. EMDP contributed to conceptualization, data analysis, paper writing, and editing.
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Nablo, G.R., Dela Pena, E.M. A black chrome plating process using trivalent chromium and water-tolerant, ethaline-based ionic liquid baths. Chem. Pap. 75, 4887–4897 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01716-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-021-01716-6