Electrodeposition of bismuth telluride films from a nonaqueous solvent

The author examines Bi(2)Te(3) deposition from a DMSO solution containing TeCl(4) and Bi(NO(3))(3) x 5H(2)O by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Accumulated charges and related mass changes for Bi(2)Te(3) deposition on working electrodes are measured in situ. The deposit composition is more dependent on Te(4+) concentrations in DMSO solution than on the potential. In a DMSO solution containing 0.01 M Te(4+) and 0.0075 M Bi(3+), Bi(2)Te(3) depositswere obtained in the potential range between -0.2 and -0.8V vs. Ag/AgCl. In a DMSO solution containing 0.05 M Te(4+) and 0.0375 M Bi(3+), Te-rich deposits were formed from -0.2 to -0.8V vs. Ag/AgCl. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.