Metal-Molten Salt Interfaces and
Electro-crystallization on the Nanometer Scale

 

W. Freyland

 

Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Karlsruhe

D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany

 

Electro-deposition of coherent metal films from molten salt electrolytes requires complete wetting of the substrate by the molten salt electrolyte. So the wetting characteristics of the interface are crucial. For the example of K-KCl solutions the relevant wetting phenomena and interfacial phase transitions in fluid ionic systems will be discussed. New SHG- and ellipsometric results will be presented. In the main part of this talk recent measurements on phase formation and growth during electro-deposition of metals and alloys from molten salt electrolytes will be reviewed. Emphasis will be given to 2D and 3D phase formation which we have studied for the first time with nanometer resolution in molten salts in the upd and opd range by employing in situ STM-techniques [1].

 

[1].    C. A. Zell, F. Endres, W. Freyland,
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. Vol 1 (1999) 697