SOME FUNDAMENTAL-ASPECTS OF LEVELING AND BRIGHTENING IN METAL ELECTRODEPOSITION

This review concerns fundamental aspects of levelling and brightening in the electrodeposition of metals. The most important effects of additives, such as the grain refinement of the deposit, polarization of the cathode, incorporation of additives in the deposit, the change of the orientation of crystals and the synergism of additives are presented. The mechanisms proposed to explain the action of additives in metal electrodeposition are classified taking into account the rate determining step of the process. The main mechanisms are discussed.