Leaded or unleaded? Homemade microscale tin electroplating

ABSTRACT

Social distancing measures due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus have profoundly challenged the educational experimental work. We have sought to remediate this issue by designing a series of low cost, low risk, quick, and qualitative electrochemistry and corrosion experiments to be performed in the student's homes at the microscale with a kit provided by the teacher. One such experience is the electroplating of Sn from an aqueous chloride solution using readily available soldering wires (e.g., Sn-Pb alloy, or Sn-Ag-Cu alloy). This process catches students' attention due to its simplicity and variety of possible applications that include corrosion protection, fabrication of electronic components, plating of cooking utensils, lithium batteries, etc. © 2022 Maite R. Herrera-Loya et al., published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston 2022.