Acceleration effect of adsorbed thiocyanate ions on electrodeposition of CuSCN, causing spontaneous electrochemical oscillation

It is shown that thiocyanate ions (SCN−) adsorbed on an electrode surface accelerate electrochemical reduction of Cu(II), resulting in the formation of CuSCN. The acceleration effect of adsorbed SCN− ions was proved by electrochemical impedance analysis and X-ray analyses of the resultant deposits. Importantly, spontaneous potential oscillation was observed during the Cu(II) reduction only in the presence of SCN−, further evidenced the acceleration effect of the adsorbed SCN−.