Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Electrode Process of Al Electrodeposition in a [Emim]Cl-AlCl3 Ionic Liquid

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect was usually used to improve the mass transport during electrodeposition in a solution electrolyte. Herein, we reported the effect of a magnetic field on the electrode process of Al electrodeposition in a [Emim]Cl-AlCl3 ionic liquid composed of pure ions. Under a uniform and perpendicular magnetic field to the Cu electrode plane, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the circuit, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves, and the different capacitances at the potential of zero charge (PZC) were measured, and the electrodeposition of aluminum was carried out at a constant current density. The results indicated that a vertical magnetic field significantly reduced the resistance (activation energy) for charge transfer of electrochemical reduction of Al2Cl7–; meanwhile, the capacitance of an electric double layer (EDL) and the density of the electrodeposited aluminum layer were increased.