Change in the physical characteristics of the dendritic zinc deposits in the stationary and pulsating electrolysis

- The potential in pause determines the discharging ions concentration in the deposit pores.
- The increase in loose deposit density is due to the increase in ions concentration in pause.
- The change in zinc deposit physical properties is followed by the morphology changes.

The growth process of dendritic zinc deposits is investigated on rod electrode in stationary and pulsating modes of electrolysis in this study. The data on changes in physical properties (density, porosity, and specific surface area) of loose deposits in the electrolysis process are obtained. It is found that during the pauses of pulsating modes, duration of which was 15 and 30 s, there is an increase in the discharging ions concentration in the deposit depth. The change in concentration in pulsating galvanostatic mode is due to diffusion, whereas in potentiostatic mode it is due to the dissolution of dendrites in contact with the depleted solution. The decrease in the diffusion limitations leads to a decrease in the deposits elongation rate and an increase in its density. The SEM method shows that the transition from stationary to pulsating modes of electrolysis changes the loose deposit particles morphology.