The effect of chromate ion and its interaction with antimony and glue on zinc electrowinning from acid sulphate electrolyte were studied. During electrolysis at 430 A m-2 and 45-degrees-C, the chromate ion was found to polarize the cathodic reaction resulting in a refined zinc deposit having a morphology featuring a vertical orientation of the zinc platelets. Although chromium did not codeposit, the current efficiency for zinc deposition was dramatically decreased in the presence of > 1000 mg dm-3. This effect became more pronounced when the electrolyte also contained additives such as antimony and glue.
