The effect of alternating current on the morphology of electrodeposited copper

Abstract

A sinusoidal alternating current affects the morphology and smooths electrodeposited copper on copper single crystals. On a (111) plane hexagonal and triangular pyramids obtained from a highly purified acid copper sulphate bath in pure d.c. gradually truncate and transform to fine polycrystalline grains by the application of a.c. On the (100) and (110) planes layers and ridges observed in pure d.c. respectively change to homogeneous polycrystals by the application of a.c. Growth forms of copper during d.c. are related to the cathodic polarization and the mechanism is discussed. By the application of a.c. a change from the anisotropic to the isotropic character is observed.