Electrodeposition of Zn–Ni alloy from ZnCl2–NiCl2–EMIC and ZnCl2–NiCl2–EMIC–EtOH ambient-temperature molten salts

The electrochemical deposition of Zn-Ni alloy from ambient-temperature molten salts ZnCl2-NiCl2-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIC) and ZnCl2-NiCl2-EMIC-ethyl alcohol (EtOH) was examined. The Ni content in the deposits could be controlled continuously from 12.3 to 98.6 mol.% by changing the bath composition, temperature during the electrodeposition, and current density in the ZnCl2-NiCl2-EMIC and ZnCl2-NiCl2-EMIC-EtOH melts. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the deposit obtained in the electrodeposition from the ZnCl2-NiCl2-EMIC-EtOH melt showed a broad peak. The results of the differential scanning calorimetry experiments for the deposit showed exothermic peaks that are considered to be due to the amorphous-to-crystalline transformation and crystal growth. The formation of the amorphous structure on the deposit was confirmed.