Control of Growth Front Evolution by Bi Additives during ZnAu Electrodeposition

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Metal dendrite formation compromises electrochemical energy storage performance.
• Electrolyte additives are crucial for mitigating dendrite growth.
• Understanding nanoscale additive effects is key to controlling deposition morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the nanoscale effects of inorganic additives on electrochemical growth front morphology.
• To investigate the mechanism by which bismuth (Bi) additive influences zinc (Zn) deposition on gold (Au).

Main Methods:

• Liquid cell electron microscopy was employed to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution.
• The study focused on the electrochemical deposition of ZnAu on an Au electrode in the presence of Bi additive.

Main Results:

• Low concentrations of Bi additive were found to delay, but not entirely prevent, growth front instabilities during Zn deposition.
• Bi segregation at the growth front was observed to promote surface diffusion and relaxation of Zn.
• This promotion of surface diffusion leads to improved coverage of the initial Au electrode surface.

Conclusions:

• The findings provide a nanoscale understanding of inorganic additive mechanisms in electrochemical deposition.
• This knowledge can aid in designing electrolyte chemistries for improved battery performance and morphology control.
• Further research into additive effects can optimize energy storage systems and other electrochemical applications.