Underpotential deposition of metals in the presence of surfactants: Deposition of thallium and lead on an Ag (100) electrode in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate

Abstract

In this work sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was used to modify the surface of an Ag (100) single crystal electrode. Both the underpotentlal deposition (UPD) and overpotential deposition (OPD) of thallium and lead were studied on such a surface. This molecule is a detergent of anionic type which, depending on its concentration, exists in water solutions in monomeric, dimeric or micellar forms. Other factors, such as concentration and composition of electrolytes, temperature, pH and impurities, also affect the process of formation of micellar agglomerates of SDS. Micelles are formed above the so-called critical micellar concentration (CMC), while at lower concentrations, a formation of dimers is possible.