Electronic edition ISSN 1574-0579

Numerical simulation of the mass transfer of magnetic species at electrodes exposed to small-scale gradients of the magnetic field

G. Mutschke^{1, 2} , K. Tschulik^{3, 4} , M. Uhlemann³ , J. Fröhlich²

¹ Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden--Rossendorf, Institute of Fluid Dynamics, Bautzner Landstr.~400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
² Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Fluid Mechanics, 01062 Dresden, Germany
³ Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research IFW Dresden, Helmholtzstrasse 20, 01069 Dresden, Germany
⁴ currently at: Oxford University, Dept. Chemistry, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom

Abstract
The mechanisms responsible for the spatially inhomogeneous thickness of metal layers obtained by electrochemical deposition in magnetic gradient fields at small scale are being discussed controversially in the literature. The paper presents the results of numerical simulations which support the reasoning that local convection at the electrode driven by the rotational part of the magnetic gradient force is responsible for the effects observed. The deposition of paramagnetic and diamagnetic ions is discussed, and the influence of electrically inert magnetic ions present in the electrolyte is enlighted. Figs 3, Refs 11.