The Effect of Hydrogen Overvoltage on the Electrolytic Deposition of Zinc

In the deposition of metallic zinc by electro­lysis from neutral or acid solution, little difficulty is experienced provided certain impurities are absent from the electrolyte. The use of the process has long been considered as a potential source, patents on the process having been issued as early as 1880. However, the early experimenters failed to realize the importance of impurities in the electrolyte, and for this reason, the process suffered several severe setbacks when commercial plants were built.

The Deposition of Monomolecular Films.

The formation of monomolecular films is possible because of the action of the heteropolar molecules of certain fatty acids, especially stearic. Under the proper conditions the acid will spread out until a monomolecular film is formed.