Effects of ultrasound on the electrochemical cementation of cadmium by zinc powder

This work is devoted to a kinetics study of cadmium electrochemical cementation on zinc powder under ultrasonic low-frequency field (20 kHz). Compared to mechanical stirring with a Rushton turbine and for the same suspension quality, ultrasound lead to a lower kinetics during the major part of the reaction but to final conversion rate near 100%. Pointing out a thermal modification in the deposit morphology due to acoustic cavitation, gives explanation to these processes changes. Besides several acting parameter effects, such as temperature, metallic ion concentrations or ultrasonic power have been observed and analysed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.