CDTE ELECTRODEPOSITION AND STRIPPING - AN ELECTROCHEMICAL QUARTZ-CRYSTAL ANALYSIS

Electrodeposition and stripping of tellurium and cadmium telluride (Cd Te) have been studied by means of simultaneous voltammetric and electr ogravimetric experiments. The combined analysis of the results is a po werful method for studying these complex electrochemical systems. The experiments were performed in a sulfate electrolyte containing HTeO2with or without CdSO4. The several oxidation/reduction waves are relat ed to the different deposition/stripping processes. The reduction of H TeO2+ to Te-O and the cathodic stripping of Te-O to H2Te are clearly s hown in cadmium free electrolytes. Also, the anodic stripping process of both Te-O and CdTe is analyzed and discussed in comparison with oth er published work. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.