Electrodeposition of AsSb alloy from hydrochloric acid system

AsSb alloy was prepared by electrodeposition in hydrochloric acid solution system containing As3+ and Sb3+.The electrocrystallization process in cathode was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric transient method.The surface morphology and the composition of deposits were characterized by SEM and EDS analysis.The results show that the evolution of arsine is restrained in this system.The addition of Sb3+ is beneficial to the electrodeposition of alloy.The electrocrystallization process in glassy carbon electrode follows the diffusion-controlled and three-dimensional nucleation mechanism.The nucleation rate increases with adding citric acid and the Sb3+ concentration increasing,which leades to grains finer.The increase of acidity also increases the nucleation rate,while the powdery deposits would be produced in high acidity.The content of arsenic in deposits reduces with the increase of Sb3+ concentration or the addition of citric acid.