What Can the Electrodeposition Module Do?
The Electrodeposition Module is intended for investigating the influence of different parameters, in an electrodeposition cell, on the thickness and composition of deposited layers. Important parameters that can be studied with the module are the following:
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Cell geometry
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Electrolyte composition and mixing
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Electrode kinetics
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Operating potential and average current density
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Temperature
Modeling and simulations are cost-effective ways of understanding, optimizing, and controlling electrodeposition processes. A typical simulation yields the current distribution in the electrodeposition cell and at the surface of the electrodes. Faraday’s law and the properties of the deposited material give the thickness and composition of the deposited layer. The Electrodeposition Module is able to model cells both when the deposited thickness is negligible in comparison to the inter-electrode gap and where the growth and dissolution of the electrodes have to be taken into account using moving boundaries.
The targeted applications for this module are the following:
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Copper deposition for electronics and electrical applications
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Metal deposition for protection of parts, such as corrosion protection and protection against wear
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Decoration of metals and plastic parts
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Electroforming of parts with thin and complex structure
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Metal electrowinning.
The module consists of a number of physics interfaces, which describe different phenomena in the electrolyte and at the electrodes in electrodeposition cells. A number of examples exemplify the use of these physics interfaces. The physics interfaces are based on the conservation of current, charge, chemical species, and energy.