Electrocrystallization of Metals under Ideal and Real Conditions

Ideal conditions during electrocrystallization, which are only approximately attainable, would lead to a perfect single crystal, whereas real conditions yield a monocrystalline or polycrystalline product containing many structural defects. The electrolytic production of quasi‐ideal single crystals requires an overpotential that supplies at least the activation energy necessary for the formation of two‐dimensional nuclei, since growth otherwise proceeds via screw dislocations with formation of a “real” crystal. The potential deviation in electrocrystallization under real conditions is due to electrochemical and/or crystallization overpotential, which can be determined separately. The investigation of electrocrystallization also offers possibilities for a systematic study of the formation of imperfections in real crystals.