Effect of Parameters of Pulse Electrolysis on Electrodeposition of Copper–Tin Alloy from Sulfate Electrolyte

The effect of pulsed electrolysis on the electrodeposition of Cu–Sn alloy from the sulfate–sulfuric acid electrolyte is studied. It is shown that the codeposition of copper and tin is observed only at the potentials, which provide the discharge of copper(II) ions under the diffusion control. The transient time of electroreduction of copper(II) ions and the concentrations of Cu 2+ ions in the near-cathode region in the pause are calculated. It is shown that a decrease of the pause duration leads to the alloy deposition at lower current densities. It is found that the use of pulsed electrolysis enables one to raise significantly (by 3 times) the range of cathodic current densities for production of high-quality yellow-bronze coatings. The effect of pulse duration and amplitude on the qualitative and quantitative compositions of the alloy is determined.