Silver electrodeposition from air and water-stable ionic liquid: An environmentally friendly alternative to cyanide baths

The influence of temperature on the kinetics and the morphology of silver deposits obtained from an air and water-stable ionic liquid (the 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate) was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The nucleation and growth mechanisms have been investigated and the effect of temperature evaluated up to 200 °C. Dense, pure and very thin (about 0.3 μm) silver coatings, with decorative properties, have been obtained on commercial copper electrodes at different temperatures. The characterization of the deposits morphology has been performed by visual investigation and SEM microscopy. Data about thickness were acquired by Calotest® measurements. The deposits result constituted by pure silver as determined by combination of EDX microanalysis and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). The deposition method promises to be a new, environmentally friendly, method for silver electrodeposition which is the reason for the absence of cyanide and volatile toxic solvents in the electroplating bath.