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Electrodeposition Of Copper On Thermally Oxidized 316 L Stainless Steel Substrates, Z. Zhou, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of thermal oxidation of 316 L stainless steel cathode blanks used in copper electrodeposition was studied. Current and potential step experiments were performed to evaluate electrochemical changes caused by the oxidation treatments. SEM and AES were used to characterize the stainless-steel substrates and the deposited copper films. Particular emphasis was given to the initial stages of copper nucleation and growth. The copper electro crystallization process was strongly influenced by the temperature employed in oxidizing the stainless steel. Dense, uniform and fine copper nuclei were obtained on the stainless-steel substrate oxidized in air at 200°C and 300°C for 3 …