Numerical simulation of the primary, secondary and tertiary current distributions on the cathode of a rotating cylinder electrode cell. Influence of using plates and a concentric cylinder as counter electrodes

•Numerical simulation of current distribution on a RCE during copper deposition.•Plate and concentric counter electrodes determine primary current distribution.•Uniform secondary and tertiary distributions were attainable for all geometries.•Deposition experiments using copper validated the numerical simulation.

Numerical simulations of primary, secondary and tertiary current distributions on the cathode of a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) cell, using four-plate, six-plate, and a concentric cylinder as counter electrodes, were calculated using the finite element method. Copper electrodeposition from an acidic sulfate electrolyte is used as a test system. Charge transfer kinetics is described by a Tafel approximation while mass transport is considered using a Nernstian diffusion layer expression. The importance of using plates and concentric counter electrodes on RCE cathode is demonstrated. The effects of applied current density and electrode rotation speed on the distribution of current on RCE cathode are analyzed. Electrodeposition experiments with copper enable comparisons with the simulations.