Effect of growth parameters on habit and morphology of electrodeposited lead dendrites

Abstract

Changes in habit and morphology of lead dendrites grown by electrodeposition from aqueous solutions were studied as a function of various growth parameters. Changes resulting from current density and concentration of the electrolyte are given in chart form. The following changes in morphology were observed in order of increasing current density, (a) polyhedral growth, (b) dendrites growing in the 〈110〉 directions, (c) acicular dendrites growing in the 〈110〉 directions, (d) dendrites growing in the 〈211〉 directions, (e) dendrites growing in the 〈100〉 directions, and (f) spongy growth. Not all of these morphologies were found, however, at each concentration. Dendrites were faceted in all cases by {111} planes. (a), (e), and (f) did not contain twin planes. Dendrites in (b) and (d) contained twin planes parallel to the main faces, while those in (c) had twin planes radiating from a common line. Evidence suggests that the dendrites containing twin planes grow by the twin plane re-entrant edge mechanism.