Simply put, electrodeposition is a process in which an ion, when offered an electron or two, surrenders its freedom of motion in a liquid phase and settles down in a densely populated and rigid matrix (see article by John Dukovic in the ECS Interface in Spring 1999). Electrodeposition has numerous advantages: ability to nucleate atoms of various metals on a variety of substrates, initiate pattern formation and achieve selective growth. Furthermore, ease of control and low cost make electrodeposition a process of choice in a broad range of applications: batteries, photovoltaics, semiconductor devices and others.
