The ability to uniformly deposit metallic coatings onto geometrically complex substrates plays a significant role in extending design capacities and functionalization in numerous applications. Examples include coating detailed RF components or depositing catalytic coatings onto additively manufactured ordered foams for use as electrodes in electrochemical flow reactors. However, there is a lack of design guidelines present for electrodeposition on complex porous substrates. Here, we present a scientific framework to deconvoluting this process based on the use of continuum level modeling and scaling parameters, such as the Wagner Number. This framework is used to guide structured electrode design and electrodeposition processes to control local deposition uniformities on non-planar substrates under fluid flow conditions. Herein, we use a small graphite tube as a model system for a single pore. The flow-through electrode (FTE) is used as a platform to control hydrodynamics. By determining deposition and electrode characteristics, such as kinetics, nucleation behavior, surface topology and coupling electric field and hydrodynamic effects into a cohesive model, we can predict and control the thickness profile of the metallic deposit. By conducting deposition under various current densities we develop electrode design limitations and process conditions to achieve uniform metallic coatings via electrodeposition.

<i>Predictive</i> uniform electrodeposition under flow in a single pore flow-through electrode

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Predictive uniform electrodeposition under flow in a single pore flow-through electrode