Intermetallics as key to spiral formation in In–Co electrodeposition. A study based on photoelectron microspectroscopy, mathematical modelling and numerical approximations

This paper reports on spiral pattern formation in In-Co electrodeposition. We propose an approach to the understanding of this process based on: (i) compositional and chemical-state distribution analysis by high-resolution photoelectron microspectroscopy and (ii) a mathematical model able to capture the morphological features highlighted in the experiments. Microspectroscopy - complemented by electrochemical, structural and morphological characterisations - combined with mathematical modelling, analytical and numerical investigations, converge in pointing out the key role played by intermetallic electrodeposition in spiral formation.