Contrary to the widely accepted hypothesis that it is not possible, aluminium
underpotential deposition (UPD) onto zirconium from a low temperature (200,
250 and 300?C) equimolar chloroaluminate melt was recorded. Furthermore, it
was shown that aluminium UPD facilitates alloy formation between the
deposited aluminium monolayer and the zirconium substrate by interdiffusion.
The aluminium/zirconium alloys formed at the temperatures substantially
lower than those needed for thermal preparation of the same alloys were:
Al3Zr2 and Al3Zr. Experimental techniques used were linear sweep
voltammetry, potential step, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive
spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for characterization of
obtained electrode surfaces.