Effect of Sodium Citrate as Complexing Agent on the Electrodeposited CuZn Alloys: Electrochemical, Morphology, Structure, and Electrical Resistivity Studies

In this study, sodium citrate (SC) ions were applied as a complexing agent in the co-deposition of CuZn alloy thin film coatings from nontoxic sulphate electrolyte at room temperature. This study examined the effects of SC ion concentrations on morphology, electrical resistivity, and structure of the deposited thin films. Using the cyclic voltammetry method, electrochemical analyzes were performed. It was seen in the results of XRD analyzes that merely α and/or β phases were formed in the CuZn thin-film coatings. Average grain sizes, estimated by Scherrer’s formula, were decreased 63% via the addition of SC to the bath. Electrical resistivity properties of electrodeposited CuZn alloys were realized at a wide range temperature between 100 to 405 K. It is seen that when the amount of SC in the electrolyte increases, it decreases the amount of copper in the film, increases the amount of zinc, and increases the electrical resistance of the film.