Temperature, effect activation overvoltage

Nanocrystalline materials have received extensive attention since they show unique mechanical, electronic and chemical properties. As the particle size approaches the nanoscale, the number of atoms in the grain boundaries increases, leading to dramatic effects on the physical properties and on the catalytic activity of the bulk material. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of methods for the preparation of nanocrystalline metals such as thermal spraying, sputter deposition, vapor deposition and electrodeposition. The electrodeposition process is commercially attractive since it can be performed at room temperature and the experimental set-up is less demanding. Furthermore, the particle size can be adjusted over a wide range by controlling the experimental parameters such as overvoltage, current density, composition, and temperature (see Chapter 8). 

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