Nucleation and Growth of Bismuth Electrodeposition from Alkaline Electrolyte

The early stages of bismuth (Bi) electrodeposition on glass carbon electrode from alkaline electrolyte were studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The CV analysis showed that the electrodeposition of Bi was determined to be quasi-reversible process with diffusion controlled. The current transients for Bi electrodeposition were analyzed according to the Scharifker-Hills model and the Heerman-Tarallo model. It can be concluded that the nucleation and growth mechanism was carried out under a 3D instantaneous nucleation, which was confirmed by SEM analysis. The kinetic growth parameters were obtained through a nonlinear fitting. In addition, the Bi film obtaining at -0.86 V for 1 hour was of compact and uniform surface with good smoothness, small roughness and a very high purity. The Bi film were indexed to rhombohedral crystal structure with preferred orientation of (0 1 2) planes to growth.