Electrodeposition Silver(i) Selenide From Aqueuos Thiocyanate Solutions

Abstract

Electrodeposition of silver(I) selenide possessing pronounced thermoelectric properties was carried out from aqueous solutions containing thiocyanate complexes of silver(I) and Se (IV) compounds at pH 4.7. Ag2Se is formed at cathode potentials more negative than –0.9 V (s.h.e.). The obtained coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray phase analysis (XPA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The stoichiometry of the cathode deposit is close to Ag2Se. Diffraction studies have shown that an orthorhombic modification of silver(I) selenide is formed under electrodeposition conditions. Cathode deposits have a columnar nanostructure.