Role of addition agents in zincate bath - a cyclic voltammetry study

To enhance grain homogenisation and brightness various addition agents are employed in zinc plating baths. Triethanolamine, vanillin, dextrin, gelatin and ascorbic acid added to zincate baths to enhance brightness. Cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out on glassy carbon electrodes from zincate solutions. The deposition of zinc involves a slow second electron transfer. Addition agents shifted the cathodic peak potentials and increased the rate of zinc deposition. Hydrogen evolution was hindered by the addition of triethanolamine and dextrin. The dissolution of zinc was found to be accelerated by these additive