INTRODUCTION

The term "electroplating" is also used to refer to the process of electroplating.

The procedure includes depositing material using an electric current, as the name
suggests. A thin coating of metal is deposited onto the surface of a workpiece termed
the substrate as a result of this procedure. Electroplating is generally used to alter an
object's physical qualities. This procedure can be used to increase the wear resistance,
corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal of objects, as well as their thickness.
Electroplating entails sending an electric current via an electrolyte solution.
This is accomplished by immersing two electrodes in the electrolyte and connecting
them to a circuit powered by a battery or other power source. The electrodes and
electrolyte are constructed from carefully selected elements or compounds. When
electricity passes through the circuit they create, the electrolyte splits and some of the
metal atoms in it are deposited in a thin layer on top of one of the electrodes, causing
it to become electroplated. Gold, silver, tin, zinc, copper, cadmium, chromium, nickel,
platinum, and lead are among the metals that can be plated in this method.
THEORY

An electric current is used in the electroplating process to dissolve metal and

deposit it on a surface. The procedure is made up of four main components:

a) Anode: The metal that will produce the plating is the anode, or positively charged
electrode, in the circuit.
b) Cathode: This metal is the part of the electroplating circuit that needs to be
plated. It's also known as the foundation. This component serves as the circuit's
negatively charged anode.
c) Solution: In an electrolytic solution, the electrodepositing reaction takes place. To
promote the flow of electricity, this solution contains one or more metal salts,
commonly copper sulphate.
d) Power Source: Used to provide current to the circuit. This power source injects
electricity into the system by applying a current to the anode.

Figure 1
The standard potentials of numerous elements or electrode reactions are included in
the table below. The less noble the metal, the lower its standard potential.

Element Electrode Normal Element Electrode Normal

Reaction Potential Reaction Potential
(V) (V)
+ - 4+ -
Lithium Li → Li + e -3.020 Tin (IV) Sn → Sn + 4e +0.050

Potassium K → K+ + e- -2.920 Antimony Sb → Sb3+ + 3e- +0.200

Barium Ba → Ba2+ + 2e- -2.920 Arsenic As → As3+ + 3e- +0.300
Strontium Sr → Sr2+ + 2e- -2.890 Copper Cu → Cu2+ + 2e- +0.345

Calcium Ca → Ca2+ + 2e- -2.840 Copper Cu → Cu+ + e- +0.520

Sodium Na → Na+ + e- -2.750 Iodine 2I- → I2 + 2e- +0.536
Magnesium Mg → Mg2+ + -2.380 Silver Ag → Ag+ + e- +0.800
2e-
Aluminium Al → Al3+ + 3e- -1.660 Palladium Pd → Pd2+ + 2e- +0.830
Manganese Mn → Mn2+ + -1.050 Mercury Hg → Hg2+ + 2e- +0.850
2e-
Zinc Zn → Zn2+ + 2e- -0.760 Platinum Pt → Pt2+ + 2e- +1.200
Chromium Cr → Cr3+ + 3e- -0.710 Chlorine 2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e- +1.358
Iron (II) Fe → Fe2+ + 2e- -0.440 Gold Au → Au3+ + 3e- +1.420
Nickel Ni → Ni2+ + 2e- -0.240 Gold Au → Au+ + e- +1.700
Lead Pb → Pb2+ + 2e- -0.125 Fluorine 2F- → F2 + 2 e- +2.850
Hydrogen H → H+ + e - 0.000

Table 1

APPARATUS
 Stop Watch

Digital Weight Scale

pH Paper

Copper- Nickel
(10 cent)

Bronze
(1 cent)
 Mild Steel Plate

Power Supply
(12v)

Alligator Clip

Graphite Rod

Electrolyte Copper Sulphate

(CuSO4)

PROCEDURE
 Figure 2

1) Follow the instructions based on Figure 2 to set up the experiment. Place the
electrolyte copper sulphate (CuSO4) in a beaker. Then, using a pH paper, check
the electrolyte's pH before beginning the experiment.
2) To begin, grind the mild steel plate using sand paper (240 grid) to eliminate any
unwanted material until the surface is smooth and clean.
3) Weight the mild steel and keep track of the results in a table.
4) Connect the anode to the graphite rod using wire clip.
5) Connect the cathode to the mild steel using the wire clip.
6) Make sure to turn on the power supply and connect the anode and cathode to the
source.
7) Soak the graphite rod and mild steel in the electrolyte for 10 minutes.
8) Remove the mild steel and graphite rod and rinse in deionized water after
removing it from the beaker.
9) Repeat steps 6–8 for a total of 30 minutes.
10) Use bronze metal and copper-nickel metal to repeat steps 6 to 9.

RESULT/CALCULATION
 10 minutes 30 minutes
Initial Final Initial Final
Sample Sample
Weight, Wo Weight, Wf Weight, Wo Weight, Wf
(g) (g) (g) (g)
Mild Steel 3.50 3.65 Mild Steel 3.50 3.83
Bronze 1.60 1.71 Bronze 1.60 1.80
Copper- 2.70 2.84 Copper- 2.70 2.92
Nickel Nickel

Table 2 : Electroplating Result

OBSERVATION

1) The weight of the electrodes increases from their original weight after 10
minutes and 30 minutes, according to our observations while conducting this
experiment.
2) During the experiment, we see that the solution's blue colour fades as the
concentration of ions Cu+2 is converted to Cu and the volume of the solution
shrinks.
3) The mild steel electrode reacted quickly with the solution, whereas the bronze
and copper-nickel electrodes responded slowly.
QUESTION AND DISCUSSION

a) What material should the plating bath be consisted of and why?

All metal cyanides should be present in the plating bath. This is because free
cyanides enhance anode corrosion and contribute to conductivity by
maintaining a constant metal ion level. Non-metallic compounds such as
carbonates and phosphates could potentially be used to increase conductivity.
When particular regions of the body are not to be plated stop-offs are used to
keep the tub from coming into contact with the substrate. Tape, foil, lacquers,
and waxes are common stop-offs. Throwing power refers to a plating's ability
to cover uniformly, the higher the throwing power, the more uniform the
coating.

b) What ions are present in the electrolyte?

H+, Cu+, OH-, SO42-

c) Give all relevant half reactions occurring at the cathode and anode (mild
steel sample)

 Cathode: Cu => Cu2+ + 2e

 Anode: 4OH => 2H2O + O2 + 4e

d) Through your observation, explain changes that occurred to the

electrolyte solution during the electroplating process.
According to the results, the electrolyte solution decreases during the
experiment. During the experiment, we see that the solution's blue colour
fades as the concentration of ions Cu+2 is converted to Cu and the volume of
the solution shrinks. Cu2+ ions are attracted to the negatively charged cathode
for this reason. Cu2+ is reduced when an electron is received at the cathode.
Because graphite is used at the positive anode, the anode does not shrink.
Because the anode ion OH- was chosen to be oxygen, the volume of the
solution decreased.
 e) Is there final weight differences observed when compared to different
type of samples? Why?
Yes. When comparing different types of samples, there are variances in
sample weight. Mild steel, bronze, and coper-nickel all have this difference.
The variances are due to the effect of utilising a kitchen scale rather than an
electronic balance, which can only accept two digits of the final result when
utilising a 2-volt power source and 240 grit sandpaper. Furthermore, it is
owing to the varying ph. of sample.

CONCLUSION

Finally, electroplating is used to coat the cathode surface with a thin

layer of metal via an electrochemical technique. It is to keep rust at bay. Mild
steel plate, bronze metal, and copper-nickel metal were employed in the
experiment. The findings revealed that mild steel responded quickly, but
bronze and copper-nickel metal reacted slowly. Mild steel has a bigger mass
increase than the others. Because Fe has a positive oxidation number, it can
accept three electrons to create a chemical bond. Another reason is that the
physical attributes and sizes of the materials employed differ.
Some inaccuracies may occur as a result of the experiment. One of the
factors is that this experiment requires the use of a 2-voltage power supply
rather than a 12-voltage power supply. This is due to a shortage of
experimental tools and a low power supply with a maximum voltage of 2
volts. As we all know, the amount of plated metal rises in direct proportion to
the amount of current applied to the cell. This could have an impact on the
findings of the experiment. A different size of material was employed for this
experiment, which is another consideration. The usage of our own
experimental materials resulted in a variety of cutting sizes.
REFERENCES

1) Electroplating. (2020, July 14). Chemistry

LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Suppl
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Electroplating

2) Electroplating aims: Describe how to electroplate an object. (n.d.). SlidePlayer -

Upload and Share your PowerPoint
presentations. https://slideplayer.com/slide/5850619/

3) Name two objectives of electroplating. from science chemical effects of electric

current class 8 Himachal Pradesh board. (n.d.). Zigya Resource Center Free
Forever. https://www.zigya.com/study/book?
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4) What is electroplating? (n.d.). https://www.sharrettsplating.com/about/what-
electroplating

5) What is electroplating and how does it work? (n.d.).

ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-electroplating-606453