Electrolyte design for suspended particulates in electrolyte jet processing

The addition of particles (<1 μm) to electrolyte feedstocks results in marked changes to the morphology of deposits when electrolyte jet processing (EJP) compared to electrolyte only feedstocks. Through the use of a ‘carrier’ electrolyte in additive mode these particulates may become embedded within a deposited matrix. These also serve as nucleation points for crystallisation. This allows opportunities for creating complex surface coatings and incorporating materials independent of crystallisation phenomena. Control of the microscale morphology of these is demonstrated here through the addition of the brightening agent – thiourea and the buffer – sodium sulfate. Here acidity and hence electric surface potential are modified and the response upon deposition evaluated.