The conditions of formation of a tin sulfide
δ-SnS
phase by galvanostatic deposition with tartaric acid were investigated, changing parameters such as pH (1.5 and 2.5) and temperature (50, 70, and
90°C
). Uniform films were deposited at both pH's. Cyclic voltammetry data suggested that tin-tartrate complexes were crucial to film electrodeposition and also indicated reduction of sulfur species rather than tin. X-ray diffraction showed the
δ-SnS
structure to be a pure phase over the range of deposition temperatures
(50–90°C)
at pH 2.5. This observation was limited to
70°C
for films deposited at pH 1.5. Impurities of Sn and
α-SnS
were found in films deposited at pH 1.5 and temperatures of 50 and
90°C
, respectively, indicating that the
α-SnS
phase is more likely to be formed at lower pH's. All the films annealed at
350°C
displayed the
α-SnS
phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed deposited particles increased in size and became more platelike with increasing temperatures of electrodeposition, but did not change morphology with annealing.
UV∕vis
spectrometry confirmed increased disorder in films deposited at
50°C
and a direct allowed optical bandgap of lower energy for the
δ-SnS
phase compared to that of
α-SnS
.
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