The Effect of Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] Nanopowder on Cu Electrodeposition

The effect of γ ­ Al 2 O 3 nanopowder electrolyte concentration and rotation rate on copper reduction from sulfuric acid electrolytes was examined with rotating disk electrodes. Regions of copper inhibition and enhancement were identified in the kinetic regime, with little change in the mass-transport copper limiting current density. Low particle electrolyte concentration (12.5 g/L) resulted in an inhibited copper rate, while high particle concentration (60 g/L) inhibited the rate at low overpotentials and accelerated it at higher overpotentials, depending on the electrode rotation rate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis does not support a correlation between the observed inhibition and enhancement with microstructural surface area.