Kinetics of island growth in the framework of planar diffusion zones and 3D nucleation and growth models for electrodeposition

In the electrochemical deposition of thin films the measurement of the current-time curve does not allow for a direct determination of the nucleus growth law, electrode surface coverage and mean film thickness. In this work we present a theoretical approach suitable to gain insight into these quantities from the knowledge of nucleation density, solution parameters and current-time behavior. The model applies to both isotropic and anisotropic growth rates of nuclei and a study on the effect of nucleus shape and aspect ratio on the kinetics is presented. Experimental results from literature are also discussed in the framework of the present approach.

S. Politi, M. Tomellini · 2018