In-situ Raman spectroscopy applied to the study of the deposition and passivation of zinc in alkaline electrolytes

Abstract

In-situ Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the formation of a blocking layer during zinc deposition in an alkaline electrolyte. The passivity of zinc was also studied. In all cases, zinc oxide was identified as the major compound of the blocking or passivating layer. The duplex structure of the passive film was verified. A mechanism for the passivation process is proposed on the basis of the Raman results.