Dendrite structure of electrolytic gold deposited from molten chlorides

Abstract

The structure of gold deposits produced by electrolysis of molten eutectic NaCl-KCl-CsCl at 500–700°C in an inert atmosphere is studied. The initial process on the gold cathode is the epitaxial growth of a layer up to 3 μm thick with a smoothed surface and a considerably later growth of grain boundaries. Gradually, on the protruding parts of deposit, the growth of dendrites starts. The dendrites are the major form of gold deposits. Typical gold dendrites are two-dimensional 2D〈112〉 and 2D〈112〉–〈110〉 and three-dimensional 3D〈100〉. Upon supplying air into the atmosphere above the melt at high current densities at the initial period there appears a powder comprising particles of a rounded twisted shape. Probable mechanisms leading to the formation of the “rounded” powder are discussed.