Gallium Electrocrystallization Process on SUS316 Cathode in Alkaline Solution

The negative reduction potential of gallium leads to the occurrence of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during the process of gallium electrowinning. However, accurately measuring the partial current of the gallium electrodeposition reaction (GER) using the chronoamperometry (CA) test is not possible. To address this issue, a model capable of separating the partial current of the GER and HER from the total current was employed, and the CA curves were fitted at different potentials. This approach allowed the researchers to determine the relevant electrochemical parameters. The results indicated that the measured value of the current efficiency was in agreement with the fitted value, indicating the reliability of the model. The nondimensional forms of the partial contribution of GER were compared with the Scharifker–Hills model to determine the nucleation mechanism. The model showed that the GER transitions from instantaneous nucleation to progressive nucleation as the potential increases, which was further confirmed by the microscopic morphology at different electrodeposition times. In summary, this study offers a promising solution for accurately measuring the partial current of GER during gallium electrodeposition.