MEDI-CAPS UNIVERSITY,INDORE
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY(EN3BS14)
SESSION 2024-2025
TITLE-ELECTROPLATING
SUBMITTED BY:- SUBMITTED TO:-
GROUP-A(C1) DR. SHALINI SHARMA
MISS DIPTI PAL
Represented by
❖Naman Patel
❖Archi rai
❖Hariom verma
❖Harsh dubey
❖Moiz khan
❖Priyanshi patidar
❖Tejas modi
❖Adnan pandhana
❖Anisha Goyal
❖Kanak holkar
INDEX
1. Certificate
2. Acknowledgement
3. Introduction
4. Aim of the Project
5. Objective of the Project
6. Material Required
7. Procedure
8. Observation
9. Result
10. Applications
11. Conclusion
12. Credits
13. Bibliography
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the original and genuine
investigation work has been done to
investigate about the subject matter and
related data collection and investigation has
been completed solely , sincerely and
satisfactory by Btech C1-A,Medi-caps
university, Indore . Regarding their project
title “Electroplating”.
Certified by:-
dr. shalini sharma miss deepti pal
ACKWOLEGEMENT
We express our gratitude to Dr. Shalini Sharma
AND lab technician miss deepti pal who guided
us through the project and also gave valuable
suggestions and guidance for completing the
project. They helped us to understand the
intricate issues involved in making the project
besides effectively presenting it . These intricacie
have been a success only because of their
guidance.
TOPIC:
ELECTROPLATING
TOPIC OVERVIEW
ELECTROPLATING
Electroplating is a process used to
deposit a thin layer of one metal onto
the surface of another metal. It is
Caption c o m m o n l y u s e d t o i m p ro v e t h e
appearance, durability, and corrosion
resistance of various metal objects.
The process involves immersing the object to be plated into an
electrolytic solution containing ions of the desired plating
metal. An electric current is then passed through the solution,
causing the metal ions to be deposited onto the surface of the
object. This creates a uniform, adherent coating that can
enhance the properties of the underlying metal. Electroplating
is widely used in industries such as automotive, electronics,
jewellery, and decorative applications to apply protective or
decorative coatings of metals like chromium, nickel, gold, or
silver.
1
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
ELECROPLATING
Electroplating is a process that uses electrical current to deposit a
layer of metal onto a surface. This technique is commonly used for
decorative purposes, corrosion resistance, and to improve wear
resistance.
1. Electrolytic Cell: Electroplating occurs in an electrolytic
cell, which consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode)
immersed in an electrolyte solution containing metal ions.
2. Current Flow: When an electric current is passed through
the cell, metal ions in the electrolyte are reduced at the
cathode (the surface to be plated) and deposited as a
solid metal layer.
1
ANODE
• The anode is the positive electrode in the electroplating
process.
• It is typically made of the metal that is being deposited (e.g.,
copper anode for copper plating).
• During electroplating, the anode dissolves into the electrolyte,
releasing metal ions into the solution. This maintains the
concentration of metal ions in the electrolyte.
CATHODE
• The cathode is the negative electrode where the plating occurs.
• The object to be plated is connected to the cathode.
• When current flows, metal ions from the electrolyte are reduced and
gain electrons, resulting in the deposition of metal onto the cathode
surface.
•
2
FARADAYS LAWS OF
ELECTROLYSIS
Faraday's laws provide a
quantitative basis for
electroplating and describe
the relationship between
the amount of substance
deposited and the electric
charge passed through the
electrolyte.
1. First Law of Electrolysis:
• The mass of a substance deposited or liberated at an electrode
during electrolysis is directly proportional to the quantity of
electricity (charge) that passes through the electrolyte.
• Mathematically, this can be expressed as: [ m = k \cdot Q ] where
( m ) is the mass of the substance deposited, ( k ) is a constant
(related to the electrochemical equivalent of the substance), and (
Q ) is the total electric charge (in coulombs).
2. Second Law of Electrolysis:
• The mass of different substances deposited or liberated by the
same quantity of electricity is proportional to their equivalent
weights.
• This means that if two different metals are deposited using the
same amount of charge, the mass of each metal deposited will
depend on its equivalent weight.
TYPES OF
ELECTROPLATING
1
❖ COPPER PLATING - Copper electroplating is a
process that uses electricity to deposit a thin layer of
copper onto a metal object. It can be used for
decorative or functional purposes, and is often used
in the automotive and medical industries.
❖ NICKEL PLATTING - Nickel electroplating is a
process that coats a metal surface with a thin layer
of nickel. It's used to improve the appearance,
durability, and resistance to corrosion of many
products
❖ ZINC PLATTING - Zinc electroplating is a process
that coats a metal with a thin layer of zinc to
protect it from corrosion.
❖ GOLD AND SILVER - Electroplating gold on silver
is a process that involves using an electrical current
to deposit a thin layer of gold onto silver. It's a
common method used to coat jewellery and other
objects.
2
Aim
TO ELECTROPLATE SPETULA USING COPPER
Objective
T o deposit a thin layer of copper onto a metal surface, enhancing its properties like
conductivity, corrosion resistance.
Procedure for copper
Electroplating
Materials Needed
1. Substrate: The object to be plated (e.g., metal, plastic).
2. Copper Electrolyte Solution: Commonly used solutions include:
• Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
• Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)
• Water
3. Power Supply: A DC power source to provide the necessary
current.
4. Anode: Copper anode (pure copper).
5. Cathode: The substrate to be plated.
6. Cleaning Agents: Alkaline cleaners, acids, or solvents for surface
preparation.
7. Rinsing Water: For cleaning the substrate before and after
plating.
8. Safety Equipment: Gloves, goggles, and lab coat.
Detailed Procedure
1. Pre-Treatment
• Disassembly: If the substrate is part of a larger assembly,
disassemble it to ensure all surfaces are accessible.
• Cleaning:
• Degreasing: Use an alkaline cleaner or solvent to remove
oils, grease, and dirt.
• Acid Cleaning: For metals, a dilute acid solution (e.g.,
hydrochloric acid) can be used to remove oxides and further
clean the surface.
• Rinsing: Thoroughly rinse the substrate with distilled water to
remove any cleaning agents.
• Surface Preparation: If necessary, polish the substrate to achieve
a smooth surface, which will improve the quality of the plating.
2. Electrolyte Preparation
• Prepare the Electrolyte Solution:
• A common copper plating solution consists of:
• 200-300 g/L of copper sulphate (CuSO₄)
• 50-100 mL/L of sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)
• Distilled water to make up the volume.
• Mix the solution in a suitable container, ensuring it is well-
stirred and homogeneous.
3. Set-Up
• Electrolyte Bath: Pour the prepared electrolyte solution into a
suitable electroplating tank.
• Anode and Cathode Setup:
• Connect the copper anode to the positive terminal of the
power supply.
• Connect the substrate (cathode) to the negative terminal.
• Ensure that the anode and cathode are positioned
appropriately in the bath, typically with the anode above the
cathode to allow for even current distribution.
4. Electroplating Process
• Power Supply: Set the power supply to the desired voltage
(typically between 2-6 volts) and current density (usually 1-3 A/
dm², depending on the application).
• Immersion: Submerge the substrate in the electrolyte solution,
ensuring it is fully covered.
• Electroplating: Turn on the power supply. Copper ions from the
electrolyte will migrate to the cathode (substrate) and deposit as a
layer of copper. The duration of plating can vary from a few
minutes to several hours, depending on the desired thickness of
the copper layer.
5. Post-Treatment
• Power Off: Once the desired thickness is achieved, turn off the
power supply.
• Rinsing: Remove the substrate from the bath and rinse it
thoroughly with distilled water to remove any residual electrolyte.
• Drying: Dry the plated object using a clean cloth or air dry.
• Inspection: Inspect the plated surface for uniformity, thickness,
and any defects. If necessary, additional polishing or finishing
steps can be applied.
• Waste Disposal: Dispose of any waste materials and used
solutions according to local regulations and safety guidelines.
Safety Precautions
• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE),
including gloves, goggles, and a lab coat.
• Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to avoid
inhaling any harmful vapours.
• Handle all chemicals with care, following the Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS) for each substance used.
•
Observation
A thin layer of copper is deposited over
spetula .
Result
Electroplating with copper results in a met
allic coating that enhances conductivity,
corrosion resistance .
Before
After
VISUAL DESCRIPTION
ELECTROPLATING
APPLICATIONS
3
PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE
APPLICATIONS OF
ELECTROPLATING
Electroplating is a widely used industrial process that involves depositing a thin layer
of one metal onto the surface of another metal. Here are some common applications of
electroplating:
1. Decorative Plating:
- Electroplating is used to apply decorative metal coatings, such as chrome, gold,
silver, or nickel, to improve the appearance of various products like jewellery,
bathroom fixtures, and automotive parts.
2. Corrosion Protection:
- Electroplating can be used to apply a protective metal coating, such as zinc or
chromium, to prevent the underlying metal from corrosion and wear.
3. Wear Resistance:
- Electroplating can be used to apply hard, wear-resistant coatings, such as
chromium or nickel, to improve the durability and lifespan of tools, machine parts, and
other industrial components.
4. Electrical Conductivity:
- Electroplating is used to apply conductive metal coatings, such as copper or gold,
to improve the electrical conductivity of electronic components, printed circuit boards,
and electrical contacts.
5. Reflectivity:
- Electroplating can be used to apply highly reflective metal coatings, such as silver
or chrome, to improve the reflectivity of mirrors, lighting fixtures, and other optical
components.
6. Salvage and Repair:
- Electroplating can be used to restore the original surface of worn or damaged metal
parts, allowing for their reuse and extending their lifespan.
7. Functional Coatings - Electroplating can be used to apply specialized coatings,
such as those with anti-friction or anti-microbial properties, to enhance the
functionality of various products.
2
CONCLUSION
Copper electroplating is a vital industrial process with
numerous applications in electronics, decorative
finishes, and corrosion protection. Through this project,
we understood the principles of electrochemistry that
govern electroplating, the role of electrolytes,
electrodes, and the importance of controlling factors
like voltage and time. The experiment demonstrated
how a thin, uniform layer of copper can be deposited
on a metal object, emphasizing both the scientific and
practical significance of the technique. This process
not only enhances the appearance of metal objects
but also improves their durability and functionality.
Presentation Team & Assigned
Responsibilities
Name Responsibility
Anisha & Aarchi Responsible for bringing the necessary
equipment.
Naman Responsible for bringing the copper
specimen.
Hariom, Kanak & Priyanshi Presenters for the presentation.
Harsh In charge of printing the presentation
slides.
Moiz Responsible for finalizing and
concluding the presentation.
Tejas Prepared the PowerPoint presentation.
Adnaan Compiled the list of required
equipment.
Bibliography
1. NCERT Class 10 Science Textbook – Chapter on
Chemical Effects of Electric Current, for fundamental u
nderstanding of electroplating.
2. Wikipedia – Copper Electroplating –
https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Electroplating (for general
information and applications).
3. Britannica– Electroplating – https://www.britannica.
com/technology/electroplating
