Preparation of zinc-sulfide thin films in the presence of sodium tartrate as a complexing agent

Abstract

Electrodeposition was performed in a conventional three-electrode cell. Ag / AgCl was used as the reference electrode to which all potentials were referred. The working and counter electrodes were made of titanium (Ti, 99.99%) and platinum, respectively. The Ti substrates and counter electrode were polished and cleaned with distilled water prior to the deposition process. An EG&G Princeton Applied-Research Potentiostat (Versastat model) driven by the Electrochemical-Analysis-System software (model 270) was used to control the electrodeposition process and to monitor the current and voltage profiles. The electrolytes were prepared by using analytical-grade reagents and deionized water. Sodium tartrate was used to chelate with Zn 2 + to obtain a Zn-tartrate complex. Nitrogen gas was flowed into the solutions prior to mixing to remove any dissolved O 2 . Hydrochloric acid was added to prevent the formation of hydroxyl species and insoluble compounds. The depositions were carried out at room temperature by varying the deposition potential to determine the optimal conditions of deposition of zinc-sulfide thin films.