Effect of zinc on the electrocrystallization of cobalt

The effects of zinc on the current efficiency, power consumption, deposit quality and contamination of cathode deposit during electrocrystallization of cobalt were studied. The presence of zinc affected current efficiency at all temperatures and the effect was intensified at lower temperature. Increase in power consumption was significant at lower temperature. The quantity of zinc in the electrodeposited cobalt invariably increased with increase in zinc concentration in the electrolyte, however, the zinc content of the deposit was significantly low at higher temperature. The tolerance limit of zinc in the electrolyte with respect to deposit quality was also greater at higher temperature. Increase in current density decreased the current efficiency, increased the power consumption and lowered the cathode contamination.