Electrodeposition of gallium onto vitreous carbon

Gallium electrodeposition onto vitreous carbon was studied in chloride solution using potentiostatic and potentiodynamic techniques. The morphology and composition of the deposits were analysed by SEM/EDX. The effects of solution pH, applied potential and the hydrodynamic conditions on the electroreduction process were investigated. Results indicate that the reduction to Ga+1 species takes place at the lower overpotentials, while at high overpotentials gallium deposition occurs through progressive nucleation and growth under diffusion control. The influence of the simultaneous hydrogen evolution reaction on the electrodeposition process is discussed.