Electrolytic copper-bismuth alloys deposited from a trilonate electrol
yte at various cathode potentials are investigated for elemental compo
sition and structural state by Auger spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.
It is shown that in all deposits thus obtained the principal component
s are accompanied by elements of impurity (oxygen, carbon, and nitroge
n), which are incorporated in the alloys as trilon B anions. At high d
eposition potentials, when ultradisperse or amorphous phases are forme
d on the cathode, a significant proportion of the oxygen finds its way
into the deposits as a result of deposit oxidation in the course of e
lectrolysis.