The Electrodeposition of Cadmium from Non-Aqueous Solutions—1: General Review and Preliminary Studies

Abstract

SummaryThe available literature concerning the electrodeposition of cadmium from organic electrolyte solutions and reasons for current interest in this field are reviewed. Details of experimental studies of the electrodeposition of cadmium from organic electrolyte systems are given. A detailed study of the deposition of Cd from CdI2 - acetone solutions has been made. Excellent cadmium coatings at least 0·001 in thick having fine-grained columnar or conical microstructures were obtained at low current density < 4 A/ft2). Deposition of Cd from Cd acetate-K acetate-formamide solution was also studied. Here it was found that extensive treeing occurred and deposits were generally unsatisfactory. The Cd acetate—acetic acid—pyridine system has also been investigated in considerable detail with respect to the effects of solution composition, metal ion concentration, current density and temperature on the nature and structure of the deposits. Reasonably satisfactory cadmium coatings up to 0·002 in thick can be obtained from the system at 2–3 A/ft2 at 25°C. At higher current densities and deposition temperatures the deposits are unsatisfactory.