Electrochemical Etching vs. Electrochemical Deposition: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on electrochemical etching and electrochemical deposition from 1970 to 2023. Using the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database, we analysed 5166 publications on electrochemical etching and, 30,759 publications on electrochemical deposition. The analysis reveals distinct yet interconnected research landscapes for these two techniques. Electrochemical etching research has focused on themes such as porous silicon, photoluminescence, and applications in photonics, while electrochemical deposition research has centred on energy storage, catalysis, and biosensing applications. Keyword co-occurrence analysis illustrates the progression from fundamental studies to specialised applications in both fields. This study highlights the importance of international collaboration and provides insights into the historical and contemporary advancements in electrochemical methods for nanomaterial synthesis. The findings underscore the complementary nature of electrochemical etching and deposition, driving innovation and offering new opportunities in materials science and technology.