Abstract

In this work, the kinetics of indium, antimony, and zinc electrodepositions were investigated by using a gold rotating disc electrode (RDE). The performed studies shed light on the influence of electrodeposition parameters (i.e., working electrode potential and hydrodynamic conditions) on the chemical composition of In-Sb and Zn-Sb films. Stoichiometric InSb and ZnSb are one of the most promising thermoelectric materials, therefore a strictly controlled chemical composition of deposits is required. During electrochemical studies, as a primary electrolyte, a citrate bath with the addition of metal ion precursors, i.e., 0.06 M InCl 3 and/or 0.045 M SbCl 3 and/or 0.045 M ZnCl 2 , was applied. Based on the linear voltammetry measurements in the RDE system, the Koutecký-Levich analyses were performed. The diffusion coefficients ( D ) determined at 293 K for indium, antimony, and zinc ions equal to 1.45 × 10 −6 , 3.76 × 10 −6 , and 5.94 × 10 −6 cm 2 s −1 , respectively. The activation energy ( E A ) for the diffusion of metal ions was determined using D values calculated at different temperatures. E A of indium, antimony, and zinc ions equals to 25.1, 9.2, and 10.6 kJ mol −1 , respectively. The number of transferred electrons ( n ) and rate constant for heterogeneous reactions ( k ) occurring in the studied electrolytes at different potentials were also determined. • Electrodeposition of In, Sb, and Zn is under diffusion and kinetics control. • Diffusion coefficient of ion increase in line: In-citrate<Sb-citrate<Zn-citrate. • Adsorption of citrate ions on the RDE surface slows down electroreduction of In. • Indium-citrate ions have the highest E A of diffusion among studied species.

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