Alfred Z Austin

US Patent:

39909530, Nov 9, 1976

Filed:

Nov 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/632456

Inventors:

Alfred Ells Austin - Worthington OH

Assignee:

Battelle Development Corporation - Columbus OH

International Classification:

C25D 302

US Classification:

204 14N

Abstract:

Elemental silicon of utility as a corrosion resistant coating, as an absorber in a solar thermal conversion system, etc. is provided by nonaqueous electrolytic deposition thereof on a cathode body through electrolytic reduction of a silicon halide or haloid silane compound as a solute in a liquid aprotic dipolar organic solvent for the compound by passing therethrough an electrolyzing current, generally at near ambient temperature and near atmospheric pressure yet under cover of an inert gas, and desirably by pulse electrolysis. The electroplating composition consists essentially of a nonaqueous solvent solution of the anhydrous liquid aprotic dipolar organic solvent, for example propylene carbonate, dimethylformamide, etc. , containing the silicon solute, such as illustrated by silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane, in an amount providing, or providing by inclusion therewith of a dissociable electrolyte (e. g. tetrabutylammonium perchlorate), an electrical conductivity, generally greater than one m Mho, requisite to reduce the silicon solute.