The influence of three organic additives on the direct current electrodeposition behavior of zinc from acidic sulfate baths and the structure of nanocrystalline zinc coating were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization techniques, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that there is intensive synergistic effect among cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), benzalacetone (BA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). A bright and compact nanocrystalline zinc was produced due to the coexistence of such three additives. The combination of these additives can increase the overpotential and nucleation rate of zinc electrodeposition markedly, which gives rise to the grain refinement of zinc deposits.

Key words: zinc, electrodeposition, nanocrystalline, organic additive