Copper (and tin) Plating

The power supply I use is actually HY1803D (sorry I misread).
http://shop.vendio.com/Evan2002/item/725683523/?s=1242631562
I noticed that this technique works for plating tin and copper (presumably nickel as well). I suggest you stick to copper though - organo-tin compounds are extremely toxic (and could conceivably form as a side product) and nickel salts are carcinogenic.
This form of plating does not appear to work well for plating zinc, aluminum, iron, magnesium, or sodium (of course). This is probably because these metals are too high on the activity series and dissolve right back into solution once they plate (if they do at all). I also noticed that if the solution is not heated, a black film will develop on the object being plated. This is copper oxide. Solubility of oxygen is reduced and conductivity is increased if the solution is heated (also increases acid dissociation increases dissolution rate of copper oxide).

Category:

Science & Technology

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• copper plating
• chemistry experiment
• fun science
• home chemistry
• chemistry copper
• metal plating
• DIY chemistry
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[27simber]

hi there what volts do you give the pennys

for copper

[zcuttlefish]

I used 18v 1.7amps. However, a 9 volt battery should suffice. A six volt battery from radio shack might work, but no guarantees. Any lower and it probably won't work. However, the half reaction for copper is 0.34v.

Cu2+ (aq)+2e− → Cu (s)

In a perfect system, you might only need .68 volts to plate. However, my knowledge regarding electric potentials is a bit limited. It may have something to do with current too....

[narenkn]

hi : If I want to tinplate a copper vessel, can I do the same procedure ? In this case I've to connect the vessel right?