Effects of a high magnetic field on the growth of 3-dimensional silver dendrites

A liquid/solid redox reaction between silver ions and copper metal was investigated under a vertical and inhomogeneous high magnetic field (maximum field strength: 15 T). The 3-dimensional silver dendrites produced via the reaction were drastically affected by the magnetic field. Black and round dendrites were obtained in the magnetic field, whereas metallic silver crystals were grown under the gray dendrites with no field. The yields of the silver dendrite and the copper ion increased significantly in presence of the magnetic field. The results are interpreted in terms of the magnetic convection of the solution, which is induced by the magnetic force on the paramagnetic copper ions generated in the reaction as well as by the Lorentz force oil the ions.