Electrodeposition Of Thin Films Research Articles

Kinetic Analysis of Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Electrodeposition of ZnO Thin Films

Kinetic Analysis of Oxygen Reduction Reaction for Electrodeposition of ZnO Thin Films

Electrodeposition of ZnO thin films at low temperature: effects of deposition potential on properties for ZnO/CuO heterojunction solar cells

Electrodeposition of ZnO thin films at low temperature: effects of deposition potential on properties for ZnO/CuO heterojunction solar cells

Effect of electrodeposition of AuPt nanostructure thin films on the electrocatalytic activity of counter electrodes: DSSCs application

Effect of electrodeposition of AuPt nanostructure thin films on the electrocatalytic activity of counter electrodes: DSSCs application

V2CTx MXene interspersed PVDF electrospun nanofibers based piezoelectric nanogenerator for self-powered electronic devices and mechano-electrodeposition

Rapid advancement of 2D materials has spurred extensive research into MXenes, given their remarkable properties applicable in fields like energy storage, catalysis, and energy harvesting. MXenes, notably Ti3C2, hold promise for self-powered sensors such as piezoelectric nanogenerators, yet exploration of other variants is limited. This study presents a Piezoelectric Nanogenerator (PENG) composed of electrospun nanofibers fabricated from a composite of PVDF/ V2CTx MXene. V2CTx MXene synthesis involves hydrothermal synthesis followed by an acid etching process. These composite electrospun nanofibers, deposited onto a copper sheet, serve as the PENG, generating 124 V (open-circuit) and 2.2 µAmps (short-circuit) with manual single-finger tapping. Additionally, the PENG's versatility is demonstrated through its ability to facilitate the electrodeposition of ZnO thin films and power various small-scale electronic gadgets. Mechanical stability analysis over 3000 cycles underscores the device's robustness, indicating potential for enhanced self-powered sensing technology in nanogenerator applications and prompting further exploration of MXene variants.

Electrodeposition of Cu2FeSnS4 thin films for solar cell applications: mechanism of deposition and influence of Fe2+ concentration

Electrodeposition of Cu2FeSnS4 thin films for solar cell applications: mechanism of deposition and influence of Fe2+ concentration

A versatile electrochemical cell for in-situ GI-XRD measurements on lab-scale XRD devices

In-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) cells for electrochemical experiments suffer from strong attenuation of primary and diffracted beams within the electrolyte solution. To reduce the intensity loss of the X-rays, the use of a thin layer of electrolyte solution is an essential element of the conventional cell design. On the other hand, the thin layer electrolyte geometry is a considerable limitation for electrochemical measurements. To overcome these drawbacks a versatile electrochemical cell for in-situ GI-XRD measurements was constructed and used for the electrodeposition of Cu2O thin films on a copper substrate.In this design, a thin copper metal film working electrode is applied on a polyimide foil and then backside-illuminated in GI-XRD geometry. In this way, the XRD pattern is measured from the electrolyte/electrode interface of the working electrode. The X-rays only have to penetrate the polymer foil and the sputtered metal layer, resulting in high-intensity signals.In this work, we demonstrate the abilities of the in-situ cell with quantitative measurements of cathodic deposition of Cu2O thin layers. The results show a good agreement between the diffracted X-ray peak intensities and the calculated and measured thicknesses of the oxide layers. The cell design allows the structural characterization of electrode surfaces during electrochemical measurements without the disadvantages of thin layer cells and therefore does not require high intensity synchrotron radiation to perform X-ray diffraction during electrochemical investigations.

(Invited) The Influence of the Magnetic Field on Ni Thin Film Electrodeposition as an Electrocatalytically Active Material for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Ni thin film were synthesized through the electrodeposition method from three different electrolytes. Furthermore, they were assessed as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1 M NaOH. Herein, various electrodeposition parameters such as pH of the electrolytes, deposition potential, temperature, and the influence of the magnetic field were measured. We made a comparison between the different morphologies and different characteristics depending on the thin film electrodeposition process parameters. Moreover, we have studied the wettability changes of material in dependence from to the composition of the electrolyte and the applied external magnetic field. The deposition process was accomplished by using chronoamperometry technique. The measuring scanning electron microscope, and X-Ray diffraction were used to characterize the surface morphology and the crystalline structures of the fabricated films.

Role of Dopant in Enabling Electrodeposition of Polymer Thin Films with High Solar Transmittance Modulation

Buildings consume approximately one-third of the energy used in developed countries, with much of this energy tied to building heating and cooling. Electrochromic “smart” windows have the potential to mitigate some of this energy use through on-demand modulation of solar energy transmission. Therefore, electrochromic window devices based on low cost and facile solution-based processing routes are sought. In this work, we describe the electropolymerization and deposition of electrochromic poly(arylamine) thin films with exceptional broadband solar transmittance modulation, reaching ΔT sol values of over 60% (Figure 1). Through high-resolution, near-field spectroscopic imaging we show that the structure of the acid dopant present in the electrodeposition solution plays a key templating role that determines the electrochromic performance of these films. Our findings indicate that polyanionic dopants are especially adept at directing polymer chain conformational order, which in turn improves charge delocalization and transport. These factors lead to films with high smoothness and optical clarity through the visible (T lum > 80%) and near-infrared ranges. Further details regarding the cycling stability of these films and their integration into full electrochromic devices will be discussed. In summary, this work demonstrates the value of polyanionic dopants for templating high quality electrochromic polymer thin films capable of energy-relevant solar transmittance modulation for smart window applications. Figure 1

Electrodeposition of MnAs-Based Thin-Film as a Possible Promising Candidate in Spintronics Applications

A thin film material obtained by Mn As co-electrodeposition was electrochemically deposited. Electrodeposition was chosen because is a versatile and easily scalable technique with low costs, and achievable under ambient conditions in water solution. These advantages are often unmatched by the typical production routes of spintronic materials. The use of different substrates was investigated, and the optimal deposition conditions were sought to reach the required morphology and composition, considering also the influence of pH and O2. The deposition conditions were optimized using multivariate analysis. The samples were characterized morphologically, crystallographically, and compositionally with SEM-EDS, XRD, and XPS, suggesting that the deposit chemical composition was predominantly constituted by MnAs and MnO2. Magnetic characterization performed with a SQUID magnetometer showed that the sample disclose a ferromagnetic component. MnAs and MnO2 are known to have properties suitable for applications in spintronics, making this system interesting as an alternative for spintronic-based devices.

Improved plating/stripping in anode-free lithium metal batteries through electrodeposition of lithiophilic zinc thin films

The new concept of anode-free Li batteries (AFLBs) with no excess lithium, while retaining numerous strengths, does come with certain challenges, such as high capacity loss and low coulombic efficiency. These challenges can be addressed through the utilization of modified lithiophilic current collectors to enhance the electrochemical performances. Herein, we investigated the surface modification of the Cu current collector by zinc electrodeposition to provide a lithiophilic thin layer. This process aims to facilitate a smoother plating/stripping process, leading to a uniform and dendrite-free lithium deposition on the LixZny phase formed at the first stages of plating. The zinc-modified current collectors improved cell's performances, including smooth and dense lithium deposition, reduced overpotential at various applied current densities (44.5 mV to 16.8 mV @0.25 mA cm−2), prolonged cycling stability for about 300 cycles and provided high coulombic efficiency of 95 % when compared to bare Cu electrodes. These improvements are attributed to a favorable lithium alloying reaction on the Zn-coated surface. Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) revealed high diffusion coefficients for lithium (ranging from 10−9 to 10−6 cm² s-1), despite of the solid-state Li diffusion in the Zn film coating. We anticipate that implementing this modified current collector in a half-cell configuration could lead to the realization of a high-performance, anode-free lithium battery. This holistic approach proposes a scalable and cost-effective technique for boosting the performance of AFLBs.

Unravelling the Mechanism of Electrochemically Induced Sol-Gel Depositions: pH Profiles Near Electrode and Influence on Film Growth

Electrochemically induced sol-gel depositions have become a widespread, versatile method for fabricating hybrid and nanostructured oxides on conductive substrates. The process is based on the buildup of electrochemically generated OH− in the diffusion layer near the electrode surface. For the electrodeposition of silica thin films, these OH− ions catalyze the gelation of a kinetically stable precursor solution, thereby resulting in an electrochemically controlled process. The control of the diffusion layer has proven pivotal to depositing thin films while preventing the formation of aggregated by-products deeper in the solution. In this work, the silica sol-gel reactions and electrochemical OH− generation were critically analyzed and described to gain insight into the deposition mechanism. A general model is proposed that predicts the pH profile during both stationary and rotating disk electrode depositions under different conditions (i.e., current densities, times, and rotation rates). This model provides insights into the reactive zones where gelation occurs, and explains typical phenomena observed during deposition such as the dependence of film growth rates and aggregate formation on the deposition conditions. The insights and expressions obtained in this work are invaluable when designing future experiments using novel chemistries or setups.

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Electrodeposited Zinc-Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Chlorpromazine Sensing

Chlorpromazine functions as a potent dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, leading to adverse motor-related effects encompassing cataracts, musculoskeletal disorders, alterations in eyelid pigmentation, muscle contractions, and tremors-addressing the need for a reliable analytical tool, an electrodeposited thin film was synthesized on a glassy carbon electrode (GC) surface. This film comprised zinc-aluminium layered double hydroxide (Zn-Al LDH), with nitrate ions intercalated between the LDH layers. The electrocatalytic behavior of the resulting electrode (GC/Zn-Al LDH) in the oxidation and reduction of nitrogen and sulfur atoms within the thiazine ring structure of chlorpromazine was systematically studied using cyclic voltammetry. Evaluation of the electrode’s analytical response through diverse electroanalytical techniques demonstrated that the square wave voltammetry-assisted electrochemical sensor displayed a broad detection range for chlorpromazine (1 × 10−4 to 1 mM), with a sensitivity of 91.86 μA mM−1 and an impressive low detection limit of 16 × 10−6 mM. Furthermore, the performance of the developed electrode was assessed in detecting and quantifying chlorpromazine levels in simulated human urine samples through recovery studies. The results indicated satisfactory recovery rates, affirming the efficacy of the Zn-Al LDH-modified GC electrode. Noteworthy features of the electrochemical sensor included high surface coverage, improved electron transfer rate, reliable repeatability, and exceptional reproducibility. These characteristics collectively contribute to the sensor’s popularity for accurately detecting and quantifying of chlorpromazine in real-world samples.

Pulse electrodeposition of CuSbS2 thin films: Role of Cu/Sb precursor ratio on the phase formation and its performance as photocathode for hydrogen evolution§

In this paper, we outline the development of stoichiometric chalcostibite, CuSbS2 thin films, from a single bath by pulse electrodeposition for its application as a photocathode in photoelectrochemical cells (PEC). The Cu/Sb precursor molar ratio of the deposition bath was varied to obtain stoichiometric CuSbS2 thin films. The optimized deposition and dissolution potentials were −0.72 V and −0.1 V vs saturated calomel electrode, respectively. The formation of CuSbS2 was analyzed using different characterization tools. X-ray diffraction and Raman results showed the formation of the pure chalcostibite phase from a precursor bath with molar ratio Cu/Sb = 0.41. The heterostructure CuSbS2/CdS/Pt was tested as a photocathode in the PEC. The energy positions of the conduction and valence bands were estimated from the Mott Schottky plots. The conduction band and valence band offset of CuSbS2/CdS heterojunction were 0.1 eV and 1.04 eV, respectively. The electric field created in the junction reduced the recombination of the electron/hole pairs and improved charge transfer in the interface. The heterostructure CuSbS2/CdS/Pt demonstrated an improved photocurrent density of 3.4 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode. The PEC efficiency obtained from the CuSbS2/CdS heterojunction was 0.56 %. Therefore, we demonstrated the feasibility of an inexpensive technique like electrodeposition for the development of an efficient earth-abundant photocathode.

Enhancing supercapacitor performance through electrodeposition of cobalt hydroxide thin film: structural analysis, morphological characterization, and investigation of electrochemical properties

Enhancing supercapacitor performance through electrodeposition of cobalt hydroxide thin film: structural analysis, morphological characterization, and investigation of electrochemical properties

The Influence of the Magnetic Field on Ni Thin Film Preparation by Electrodeposition Method and Its Electrocatalytic Activity towards Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Ni thin films were synthesized through the electrodeposition method from three different electrolytes (acetate, borate, and citrate). Furthermore, they were assessed as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1 M NaOH. Herein, various electrodeposition parameters, such as the pH of the electrolytes, the deposition potential, and the influence of the magnetic field, were measured. We compared the different morphologies and characteristics depending on the thin film electrodeposition process parameters. Moreover, we studied the material’s wettability changes based on the electrolyte’s composition and the applied external magnetic field. It was found that the deposited Ni thin film from the citrate electrolyte under the influence of the magnetic field in the perpendicular direction to the electrode surface had the best catalytic performance to HER. It possessed an overpotential value of 231 mV and a Tafel slope of 118 mV dec−1. The deposition process was accomplished by using the chronoamperometry technique. Measuring scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the fabricated films’ surface morphologies and crystalline structures.

Surfactant integrated nanoarchitectonics for controlled morphology and enhanced functionality of tungsten oxide thin films in electrochromic supercapacitors

This research focuses on tungsten oxide (WO3) as a promising material, and the study investigates the electrodeposition of WO3 thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates using three different surfactants: cationic hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and non-ionic polyethylene glycol (PEG). The X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the resulting thin films exhibit amorphous structures. Raman analysis supports the identification of the pure WO3 phase based on the stretching and vibrational modes observed in the colored and bleached states. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study examines the influence of cathodic and anodic potentials on the formation of oxidized and reduced tungsten species in surfactant-aided WO3 thin films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy is utilized to investigate the impact of different surfactants on the morphology of WO3 thin films, revealing the formation of porous, clumped, and dense nanogranules on the film surface. Electrochromic energy storage investigations highlight the superior performance of the W-PEG (polyethylene glycol assisted WO3) thin film, which exhibits efficient lithium-ion accommodation and desirable bifunctional characteristics. The optimized W-PEG sample demonstrates excellent electrochromic performance, including high optical modulation (84.39 %), good reversibility (98 %), and high coloration efficiency (117.95 cm2/C). Supercapacitive measurements reveal a high areal capacitance of 44.1 mF/cm2 at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, as well as an energy density of 0.024 mWh/cm2 at a power density of 0.1 mW/cm2, with 85 % capacitive retention over 8000 consecutive galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Furthermore, the application potential of nanogranular WO3 for electrochromic energy storage is demonstrated through the successful illumination of a red and green light-emitting diode (LED) using fully colored electrochromic supercapacitor devices (4 × 3 cm2), highlighting their energy storage capability.

Electrodeposition of crystalline germanium thin films by the electrochemical liquid-liquid-solid method

The direct electrodeposition of crystalline germanium thin films in aqueous solutions at low temperatures represents a promising and cost-effective method for synthesising semiconductor materials. This study investigates the influence of the deposition potential and time on the characteristics of crystalline germanium thin films derived from germanium oxide precursors in aqueous solution through electrochemical liquid–liquid-solid (ec-LLS) process at low temperature. Additionally, it establishes a Ge/Cu Schottky junction by heterogeneous growth of germanium films on copper (Cu) metal via electrochemical liquid–liquid-solid–solid (ec-LLSS) process.X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that an increase in the deposition potential to −1.7 V resulted in a shift in the crystal orientation of the germanium film from (220) to (111), while excessive deposition potential (>−2.0 V) led to a reduction in the crystallinity of the deposited samples. At a deposition temperature of 70 °C and a deposition potential of −1.8 V, the crystal cluster size and the crystal quality increased with the increasing deposition time. However, at −2.0 V, the crystallinity of the germanium film reached an optimal state after 30 min and then gradually declined with time.Charactersation techniques such as EDS, XPS and Raman spectroscopy indicated that the use of liquid electrode Ga(l) as a doping source during the electrodeposition process allowed for heterogeneous growth of Ga-doped p-type germanium films on a Cu substrate.The I-V characteristic curves demonstrated that the Ge/Cu Schottky junctions exhibited significant rectification characteristics, rendering them suitable for potential applications in solar cells.

Quantitative measurement of CA 15-3 cancer biomarker using an electrochemical aptasensor based on the electrodeposition of Au thin film on cauliflower-like rGO-MoS2 nanocomposite.

The present research was conducted to design and construct an electrochemical aptasensor for evaluating carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) as a biomarker for breast cancer. The aptasensor has been fabricated by a gold thin film (AuTF) electrodeposited on a cauliflower-like reduced graphene oxide-molybdenum sulfide nanocomposite (rGO-MoS2). The modified electrode's surface was used to immobilize the thiolated aptamer, which was subsequently treated with CA 15-3 antigen. The aptasensor fabrication process was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This research also applied EIS to the quantitative measurement of CA 15-3 antigen by the proposed aptasensor. The interfacial charge transfer resistance (Rct) alteration before and after incubation of CA 15-3 by theimmobilized aptamer was considered a signal for the quantitative measurement of CA 15-3. A linear concentration ranging from 5.0 to 200.0 U mL-1 with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10-1 U mL-1 was obtained for CA 15-3 using the EIS method. This designed aptasensor indicates satisfactory repeatability and stability, good selectivity, and high sensitivity. Moreover, clinical samples were assayed by the prepared aptasensor and compared with the ELISA method, yielding acceptable results. Therecovery and relative standard deviation (RSD) of CA 15-3 in human serum samples were in the range 95.0 to 107.0% and 3.5 to 7.5%, respectively.

Direct electrodeposition of CoFeNiMoW high entropy alloy thin films from aqueous medium

The direct electrodeposition of CoFeNiMoW high entropy alloy (HEA) thin films from aqueous medium is demonstrated. By employing a citrate-containing bath and varying the applied current density (ic), HEAs with different compositions are obtained. Specifically, the composition of the HEA thin film obtained at ic = 50 mA cm−2 is Co30Fe21Ni19Mo25W5. The physical characterization of the HEA thin films is performed by energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS), grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Results confirm the presence and composition of the multicomponent HEA thin films and highlight galvanostatic electrodeposition as a simple, versatile, and cost-effective technique to create these HEA thin films.

Electrodeposited CZTS loaded titania nanotubes for photocatalytic water splitting

Copper Zinc Tin Sulphide (Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)) is a promising semiconductor material with optimum direct band gap of 1.4-1.6 eV, large light absorption coefficient (> 104 cm-1) and p-type electrical conductivity. In addition, its earth abundant and non-toxic elemental constituents make it a good candidate to replace the CdTe and CIGS absorber layers used in thin film solar cells. Also, it has properties that make it useful as a buffer layer that helps to reduce the effective band gap of TiO2 when used as an anode for photocatalytic splitting of water. We prepared titania nano tube (TNT) arrays by anodization of titanium foil. Raman spectrum of TNT confirmed the presence of pure anatase phase of TiO2. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images were obtained to analyse the surface morphology of TNT. CZTS sensitized titania nano tube arrays were then prepared by the electrodeposition of CZTS thin films over TNT arrays. FESEM images of the CZTS sensitized titania nano tube arrays showed that the electrodeposited CZTS layer had a fibrous structure. A photo electro chemical (PEC) cell was set up with CZTS sensitized titania nanotubes as anode. An anodic current density of 0.19 mA/cm2 was shown by the PEC cell when the anode was irradiated with blue light of wavelength 430 nm at power 50 mW/cm2. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency was 1.1 %.