To design a copper deposition system Using your knowledge of redox reactions and

Question

To design a copper deposition system Using your knowledge of redox reactions and electrochemistry, design a cell for electroplating or electroforming copper using aqueous copper sulfate as the electrolyte. Be sure to include and clearly label the following: a. The two separate half-reactions b. A description and drawing of the part you are plating or forming. c. The function or purpose of your part. d. What characteristics does the electrodeposited copper add to the part? (Why plate it or make it by electrodeposition?) e. A drawing of the electrolytic cell as you would have it set up. Be sure to label the cathode, anode, the part you are plating, the direction of electron flow, and the direction of the positive and negative ion flow.

Explanation / Answer

To set up a cell for electroplating copper using CuSO4 ,the following things are remembered,

• Two electodes, cathod and anod are dipped in an electrolyte solution containing metal salt. The two electodes are externally connected with a power supply, so that the metal on which you need to plate is taken as cathode connecting to negative terminal of battery and the metal you need to plate on other is taken as anod assigning positive terminal. ( in this case copper).

Now lets consider our case,

# Dip anod copper electrode and cathodic material you are plating in CuSO4 ssolution ,and are connected with battery.

# Make sure that the material you need to plate is completely clean , so that the atoms from the solution binds on its surface strongly. Generally cleaning is done by treating with strong acids or alkali or by reversing the potentiel of the cell.

# when power passes through the cell CuSO4 undergoes electrolysis

CuSO4 ? Cu2+ + SO42-

# this positive Cu2+ ions moves to negatively charged material and deposited as copper atom on its surface by accepting two electrones. That is at cathode reduction takes place by donating two electrones.

Metal, M ? M2+ + 2e-

this electrones areare received by Cu ions from CuSO4 solution and gets deposited as Cu.

Cu2+ + 2e- ? Cu

# SO4- ions in the electrolyte increase. Thus at copper anod electrode, Cu2+ ions are given into the solution by undergoing oxidation,

Cu ? Cu2+ + 2e-.

# Migration of ions are from negative cathod to positive anode. Migration of electrons are always opposite direction of ions. That is migration of electrons are from positive anode to negative cathode.

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