Codeposition of Zinc with Manganese from Different Gluconate Baths

Codeposition of zinc and manganese from slightly acidic gluconate solutions with various anions (chloride and/or sulfate) showed that independently on the bath speciation manganese ions were a key factor inhibiting electroreduction of zinc ions. It resulted in two potential ranges of the electrodeposition behavior. Morphology and composition of the electrodeposits was not affected by the type of anions in the electrolyte, but was seriously dependent on a deposition potential. Nucleation mode, surface wettability and corrosion properties of the deposits were also discussed.