Aluminum Plating With Ambient Temperature Ionic Liquids

This project will address the feasibility of an ambient temperature chloroaluminate ionic liquid as a medium for efficient electroplating of high-quality aluminum. The chloroaluminate, composed of a mixture of aluminum chloride and an organic chloride salt, is liquid at room temperature. These media promise highly effective plating of crystalline, nondendritic, nonporous aluminum. This process will offer several practical advantages for aluminum electroplating, including dramatic reduction of organic solvent consumption compared to current processes. The ionic liquid medium will significantly reduce or eliminate volatile organic compound emissions, contributing toward environmentally benign processing and reducing environmental impact of aluminum plating technology. During the Phase I research project, Eltron Research, Inc., will demonstrate an alternative technology for competitive aluminum plate production. This process will find wide application in areas requiring high-quality aluminum or anodized aluminum films, including abrasion- and corrosion-resistant surfaces for automotive and aircraft parts, and metals exposed to corrosive/high-temperature service environments (e.g., boilers). Mild, room temperature operation and dramatic reduction or elimination of organic solvent consumption over the current state-of-the-art technology will make the process attractive in terms of power consumption and environmental impact.