Modelling Nucleation during Electrodeposition By Model Method. Parametric Identification Considering Agitation By Rde or Ultrasound
Authors: Fedi Baptiste , Nevers Aymeric , Gigandet Marie-Pierre , Hallez Loic , Touyeras Francis , Hihn Jean-Yves 
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, 40% of the world wide used energy is provided by electric power and this share should reach about 60% by 2040. For environmental reasons, it is crucial to ensure low dissipation loss in power electronic devices by optimizing energy conversion. In the field of renewable energies and automotive electronics, possible energy savings are estimated to be between 20 and 35%. For that purpose, innovative power components and modules are required, with a growing interest for fast and simple joining processes in their fabrication management, in the case for example of the assembly of large-size double-side cooled modules. Several options are possible, including free sintering of metallic pastes or electroforming welding. In all cases, this requires a great control of both surfaces to be joined, mostly prepared by electrodeposition (microstructure, porosity, alloy composition). But the final properties of electrodeposited coatings are strongly dependent of the first nucleation steps, which influence the whole layer structure. In this frame, the modelling of a nucleation process followed by diffusion limited three dimensional growth is an area of promising interest. The study of potentiostatic current transients is a relevant methodology, allowing the determination of several parameters such as nucleation rate, nucleus density, and number of active sites. Different competing models are available, such as Scharifker and Hills [1] and Scharifker and Mostany [2]. By using the model method i.e. the identification of the model parameters by error minimization, it is possible to reach an accurate description of the first layer growth in the case of different metals such as silver and copper. Nevertheless, little attention have been paid to changes in hydrodynamic conditions, for example in the study of current response under forced convection [3]. The present work describes the extension of the model method to the modelling of the first steps of nucleation growth in the case of a sample exposed to an ultrasonic irradiation, which was compared to forced convection induced by a rotating disc electrode at the very same agitation level (equivalent velocity [4,5]. Eventually, the case of electrodeposited alloys was examined, as a function of their Brenner classifications (anomalous and normal codeposition [6]). The limitation of the data processing by the numerical approach are also discussed.

[1] Scharifker, B. & Hills, G. Theoretical and experimental studies of multiple nucleation. Electrochimica Acta 28, 879–889 (1983).

[2] Scharifker, B. R. & Mostany, J. Three-dimensional nucleation with diffusion controlled growth. J. Electroanal. Chem. Interfacial Electrochem. 177, 13–23 (1984).

[3] Hyde, M. E. & Compton, R. G. Theoretical and experimental aspects of electrodeposition under hydrodynamic conditions. J. Electroanal. Chem. 581, 224–230 (2005).

[4] Pollet B.G., Hihn J.-Y., Doche M.L, Mandroyan A., Lorimer J.P., Mason T.J “Transport limited currents close to an ultrasonic horn: equivalent flow velocity determination”, Journal of Electrochemistry Society, 154(10), E131-E138, (2007)

[5] A. Nevers, L. Hallez, F. Touyeras, J.-Y. Hihn, Effect of ultrasound on silver electrodeposition: Crystalline structure modification, Ultrason. Sonochem. 40 (2018)

[6] Brenner, A. Electrodeposition of alloys. Principles and practice Volume II, (1963).

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