Electrosynthesis of oriented PbTe films

Cathodic electrodeposition of PbTe from acidic water solutions containing T c(IV), Pb(II) and Cd(II) was investigated. It was found that [100] oriented growth of PbTc crystallites takes place in certain concentration range of Pb(II) and Cd(II). Electrosynthesis was performed by UPD of Pb-ad and catho dic reduction of Tc(IV). It was established by CVA method that UPD of Cd-ad on Te atoms also takes place at PbTe electrodeposition potential E = -0.3 V (Ag/AgCl). Adsorption of Pb-ad and Cd-ad is irreversible due to formation of chemical bonds Pb-ad-Te and Cd-ad-Te. It was presumed that mechanism of Cd(II) effect consists in selective adsorption of Cd-ad on faces of PbTc c rystals and inhibition of Pb-ad UPD.