3. Results and discussion
3.1. Potentiodynamic and electrochemistry quartz crystal microbalance measurements
Measurements of the potentiodynamic electrodeposition of cobalt coupled to the EQCM technique are shown in Fig. 2. The voltammograms curves for two different pH solutions (2.70 and 5.40) with a scan rate of 20mVs−1 appear in Fig. 2a. Correspondent mass variations on the working electrode are represented in the inset of Fig. 2b. Upon analysis of the voltammogramcurve for a pH 2.70 solution (Fig. 2a), during the scan through negative potentials, no processes were observed until a potential of −0.34V was reached. From this potential, an increase in current density was observed, reaching a maximum value of −0.46V. As shown in the inset of Fig. 2b, however, no mass variation was observed until a potential of −0.75V was achieved. From this potential, the current density increased quickly prior to reaching the inversion potential (−1.00V), which was followed by a mass increase on the platinum electrode. The voltammogramcurve obtained for cobalt electrodeposition in a pH 5.40 solution presents similar behavior; however,during the cathodic scan, the current density begins to increase at −0.70V. At this potential, cobalt deposition onto the platinum electrode was initiated, as shown in the mass variation profile of platinum (inset of Fig. 2b). Current density increased continually until −1.00V, due to the proton discharge reaction that occurs simultaneously with metallic cobalt deposition. To study the cobalt electrodeposition mechanism, a curve of mass/charge (M/z) as a function of the potential was constructed for the both solutions (Fig. 2b). ExperimentalM/z valueswere compared with theoretical values obtained for mechanisms of more probable reactions, such as: (i) the direct electrodeposition reaction of cobalt (Eq. (1)), (ii) the deposition reaction of metallic cobalt with adsorbed hydrogen (Eq. (4)), and (iii) the reduction of cobalt from Co(OH)2 (Eq. (8)). The theoretical M/z values for reactions (i) through (iii) were, respectively, 29.50 gmol−1 (MCo2+/2e−;Eq. (1)), 15.25 gmol−1 (MCo2++2H+/4e−; Eq. (4)), and 14.80 gmol−1(MCo2+/4e−; Eq. (8)). Its value of theM/zwhen the cobalt is being depositedwith 100% efficiency, i.e., without any other parallel process on the surfaceof the electrode. If electrochemical processes occur with parallel chemical processes as for example with deposit of mass by precipitation, the ratio M/z will be higher value than theoretical. If electrochemical process occur with lower or no mass change, the experimental M/z will be lower than the theoretical value for the reaction considered. From Fig. 2b, it was observed that experimental M/z values
obtained during cobalt electrodeposition in a solution of pH 5.40 moved toward a value of 32.00 gmol−1 as the deposition advanced in the cathodic direction. This result suggests that deposition is occurring in agreement with Eq. (1). Already at pH 2.70,M/z values tended toward a value of 13.00 gmol−1. This result suggests that cobalt electrodeposition might be occurring via the formation reaction of Co(OH)2 or by the mechanismof adsorbed hydrogen. As observed byMatsushima et al. [11], however, the formation of Co(OH)2 does not occur in solutions of pH< 2.70. Therefore, the decrease in observed M/z values might be associated with the formation of adsorbed hydrogen. This reaction occurred in solutions with pH<2.70 when H3BO3 was added as a buffer to prevent local pH variations in the solution. Experimental M/z values were lower than theoretical values owing to the hydrogen reduction reaction, which decreases the efficiency for cobalt electrodeposition.
The voltammograms curves for cobalt electrodissolution at both analyzed pHvalues are shown in Fig. 2a.According to Soto et al. [23], peak I canbe associatedwithcobalt oxidationcontaininghydrogenrich phase. The shoulder of current II can be related with cobalt electrodissolution without adsorbed hydrogen.Turning to the anodic scan, cobalt deposition continues until reachedthepotential of−0.1V,whenis observeda currentpeakdue to the cobalt electrodissolution (Fig. 2a). In Fig. 2b is observed that the ratio M/z increase to 60.00 gmol−1. That resulted indicate that themetallic Co electrodissolution occurs through a formation of anintermediary Co1+ in the interface metal solution. In the following stage, the Co+ is oxidized to Co2+, as can be see in Eq. (11). Finally,
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