Electrochemical potential oscillation
is observed during
the electrodeposition
of CoNi in the presence of butynediol (BD). Modulation of the potential
oscillatory pattern occurs due to the influence of differing proton
and BD concentrations through diffusion/convective diffusion on the
surface processes. The potential oscillation observed is a relaxation
type as a result of the interplay between (a) hydrogen adsorption
by proton reduction and the scavenging of adsorbed hydrogen by BD
and (b) CoNi hydroxide precipitation by water reduction and the dissolution
of CoNi hydroxide by protons. Moreover, the precipitation of CoNi
hydroxide occurs at a lower current density while the BD concentration
is high, whereas the absence of BD necessitates a higher current density
for observing the precipitation. This result suggests that BD plays
a critical role in altering the interfacial pH during CoNi electrodeposition.