ELECTROCHEMICAL DEPOSITION OF PBSE1-XTEX SOLID-SOLUTIONS

Electrodeposition of solid solution films PbSe1-xTex(0 less than or eq ual to x less than or equal to 1) from acid aqueous electrolytes by si multaneous cathodic reduction of Pb-II, Se-IV and Te-IV compounds, has been investigated. It has been established that electrosynthesis of P bSe1-xTex proceeds at potentials more positive than the Nernst potenti al EPb2+/Pb0 due to chemical interaction between underpotentially depo sited Ph adatoms and overpotentially deposited selenium and tellurium, formed by the reduction of Se-IV and Te-IV anion forms. Dependence of solid solution composition on both electrolyte composition and applie d electrode potential has been presented. Periodic change of cathodic polarization level of the electrode was used to produce the multilayer periodic structures PbSe/PbSe1-xTex with periods 2.5-10 nm. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.