Phenomenology of a formation of a honeycomb-like structure during copper electrodeposition

Abstract

In this paper, the phenomenology of a formation of a honeycomb-like structure was considered. Copper deposits obtained at overpotential of 1000 mV were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. It was shown that two groups of craters or holes were formed by the electrodeposition at this overpotential. The origin of one group is associated with hydrogen evolution and the attachment of hydrogen bubbles at the surface area of an electrode. For the origin of the other group, a current distribution at the growing surface was very important. The effect of preparing a working electrode onto the formation of a honeycomb-like structure is also considered.