Electrochemical Deposition of Selenium on Copper

Abstract

The present work concerns studies aiming at determination of optimal parameters of obtaining selenium coatings on a copper substrate through the cathodic reduction from sulphate and citrate solutions. The voltammetric analysis was performed in selected solutions to define electrode reactions within the examined range of potentials as well as an influence of pH on their kinetics. The range of potentials in which selenium is reduced to Se0, and then to Se2- was determined. The next stage was performing several electrolysis, where the working electrode was copper. It was to define an influence of citric acid, sodium sulphate, electrolyte pH and the electrolysis potential on the quality of the obtained coatings. The coatings were analysed with the use of X-ray spectrofluorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Palladium–Selenide Coatings

“…Research using scanning-electron microscopy allows us to determine how the parameters of the electrolysis process affect the morphologies of deposited films. According to our previous research, the morphologies of both selenium and metal-selenide coatings significantly depend on the mechanism of selenous acid reduction [41]. Photographs of the deposited coating surfaces after annealing are presented in Figure 4.…”

“…Selenium has many valent states (+VI, +IV, −II), leading to several electrochemical reactions [40]. Thus, the reduction of selenium acid and the co-deposition of selenium with other elements requires more attention, particularly concerning its high reactivity and interaction with the substrate [41]. The reduction of selenous acid can occur according to four-electron (5) and six-electron reactions (6).…”

Electrodeposition of Ni3Se2

“…Electrochemistry of selenium is very complex and it was analyzed numerous times. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The difficulty orginates from the three oxidation states (+6, +4, −2) and consequently, several electrode reactions taking place simultaneously on the electrode. Moreover selenium is very reactive and strong interaction during the reduction process is possible leading to the intermetallic compound formation with a metal substrate.…”

“…Moreover selenium is very reactive and strong interaction during the reduction process is possible leading to the intermetallic compound formation with a metal substrate. 27…”

“…6), due to very sluggish Reaction 1. 20,24,25,27,[35][36][37] The mechanism was also analyzed by cyclic voltametry with different sweep rate. (Fig.…”