Chemical, physical and morphological characterization of the electrodeposited iron fragile layer on aluminum substrate

Compact and fragile iron deposits onto aluminum substrates prepared from a solution of acid chloride were successfully obtained for current densities higher than 0.025 A cm(-2) and at pH 1.5. Deposits were characterized by cracks which create a good condition to be transformed into a powder. The presence of Cl- and high acidity that produce deposits with much strain may lead to cracks. The use of aluminum as the cathode must be avoided since its presence is not beneficial to the performance of iron electrodes because of its harmful effect on capacity and charge retention. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.