www.iaset.us editor@iaset.us
ELECTRO-DEPOSITION OF METAL FROM DIFFERENT ELECTROLYTE AND THEIR
FRACTAL CHARACTERISTICS
WASIM AHMED HYDERY
1
, GULAM RABBANI
2
, A. R KHAN
3
& YUSUF HANIF SHAIKH
4
1
Maharashtra College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Mumbai, India
2,3
Maulana Azad College Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Marg, Rauza Bagh, Aurangabad, India
4
Research Guide, Shivaji Arts, Commerce and Science College, Kannad, India
ABSTRACT
Electro-deposition of metal from different electrolyte solutions are studied in the form of dendritic patterns using
circular cell geometry. Characterization of selected dendritic patterns in terms of fractal dimensions is presented. It is
shown that electro-deposits of different metal obtained from their electrolyte solution possess self similarity and scale
invariance and have fractal character. Comparison of different electrodeposits at same cell operating voltages with same
electrolyte concentrations is discussed using the concept of fractals and fractal dimension.
KEYWORDS: Electro-Deposition, DLA, Fractal, Fractal Dimension, Self-Similarity, Dendritic Pattern
INTRODUCTION
The concept of fractal and fractal dimension characterizes irregular shapes and patterns, generated from natural
and scientific experiments. The characterization of phenomena arising due to random processes is extensively used by
fractal geometry. Formation of dendritic patterns or tree like patterns due to electro-deposition in circular cell geometry
under the different operating condition shows scaling behaviour and fractal characteristics. Diffusion Limited Aggregation
(DLA) [1, 2] of ions under a week electric field is the main process-giving rise to such branching patterns. Pattern
formation by diffusion-controlled phenomena have been recent topic of interest, amongst them are DLA (Diffusion Limited
Aggregation), dendritic crystal growth. Electro-deposition and viscous fingering [3, 4] have received the major attention.
The concept of fractal and non-fractal aggregation is applicable in physics especially in dendritic growth, flocculation,
coagulation, turbulence [5, 6], polymerization [7, 8] and crystallization. Gelation process also exhibits self-similarity and
fractal character in many cases. Fundamental principle of diffusion limited growth processes has its practical importance,
which has motivated extensive studies in the past years. Experimental studies of growth of fractals and dendritic patterns
are well suited in electro-deposition processes [9-11]. Physicists took keen interest in the study of fractals and related
studies after the boom of fractals [12-14], which began in 1980. To explain the complexity of irregular shapes that could
not otherwise be quantified was explained by very useful different fractal models. The concept of fractal model is being
effectively used for the random events like prices of shares in the share market [15, 16] and forecasting. Self-similar
patterns [17] and fractal character is also observed in some of solidification processes. Patterns formed by discharge of
liquids like water into the soil or flows through coffee grains or materials in the form of fine particles, are described by
fractals known as percolation clusters [18, 19].
The study of growth patterns by electro deposition of different electrolyte solution under different sets of working
conditions is discussed in this paper. Circular cell geometry is used that consist of central cathode and circular outer
International Journal of Applied and
Natural Sciences (IJANS)
ISSN(P): 2319-4014; ISSN(E): 2319-4022
Vol. 5, Issue 5, Aug – Sep 2016; 47-52
© IASET