The Electrodeposition of Zinc and Nickel in the Presence of Acetylacetone : The Behaviour of the Ligand as Both an Inhibitor and a Depolarizer

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Manuscript received 2 November 1979, revised 10 April 1980, accepted 9 September 1980 The electrodeposition of zinc and nickel from aqueous solutions is investigated in the presence of acetylacetone at \(p\)H values of 4.0 and 5.2 respectively. The current efficiency of the zinc and nickel deposition is dependent on the concentration of acetylacetone and the applied current density. The ligand behaves as a surface active substance as well as a depolarizer. The surface activity is more pronounced in the case of the nickel deposition whereas the ligand is reduced during the zinc deposition. The cathodic behaviour of metal ions is compatible with the suggestion that the ligand could manifest itself as both an inhibitor and a depolarizer. The throwing power of the metal deposition baths is markedly influenced by the addition of acetylacetone