Nucleation at liquid ∣ liquid interfaces: electrodeposition without electrodes

A model has been developed for diffusion controlled electrodeposition of metallic particles at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. A rate law was derived for the case where no preferential nucleation sites are present. Palladium particles were deposited at the water ∣ 1,2-dichloroethane interface by reduction of aqueous ammonium palladate using butylferrocene in the organic phase as electron donor. Experimental results were in good agreement with the theoretical model derived. The potential dependence of the nucleation rate was found to follow a classical exponential law.