Further evidence of phase formation through a liquid state stage in metals being electrodeposited: Part 1

Abstract

The state-of-the-art of the problem of crystal growth by electrolysis has been briefly discussed. A novel concept of phase formation in metals being electrodeposited has been formulated. Previous experimental findings that prove the occurrence of phase formation through a liquid state stage in metals being electrodeposited have been described. The general idea of this study is that the fundamental difference between the solid and liquid state of a metal lies in its differing ability to change the metal shape and structure under the action of a relatively small external force. With a view to providing further evidence on the existence of this phenomenon, a set of experiments has been conducted to confirm the predicted structural features in metals exposed to a minor external force during electrodeposition. In the first part of the research, the results of structural studies of metals electrodeposited under the action of an external force directed parallel to the crystallization front have been discussed. It has been found that electrodeposition with the exposure of metals to a minor external force parallel to the crystallization front leads to the formation of deposits of an anisotropic shape with a decreased roughness and a smoothed surface morphology. The experimental results prove the existence of the phenomenon of phase formation through a liquid state stage in the metals being electrodeposited.