Al Film Electrodeposition from the AlCl3-EMIC Electrolyte under a Magnetic Field

The surface structure of Al films electrodeposited in a magnetic field was studied in a AlCl3-1ethyl-3methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) mixture ionic liquid, focusing on the surface morphology and crystal orientation. Current-dependent measurements reveal two preferential orientations. First, at small current densities (i 10 mA cm−2), a (200) plane is selectively grown, where the mass transportation of Al(III) is promoted by magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) convection. Correlations of these data with scanning electron microscope observations showing tabular-facet formation in the magnetic field suggest that these structural variations are induced by microscopic MHD, demonstrating the difference between this process and that existing in an aqueous system.