Electrodeposition of Bi1ÀxSbx Thin Films

Bismuth and antimony are semimetals with a rhombohedral crystal structure and similar lattice parameters. Bi12xSbx alloys exhibit unusual electronic properties and are of interest for thermoelectric and magnetoelectronic devices. In this paper, we show that Bi12xSbx alloys can be electrodeposited from acidic chloride-based solutions and that a homogenous solid solution is obtained across the entire composition range. We show that bulk deposition is preceded by monolayer deposition at potentials negative to the equilibrium potential. The deposition/stripping reaction for bismuth is more reversible than for antimony leading to a small increase in the bismuth concentration in films compared to the concentration in solution at low Sb~III! concentrations. Thin films have a preferred ~012! texture and the interplanar spacing is proportional to the film composition according to Vegard’s rule. The grain size for thin films increases from about 1 mm for pure Bi to several micrometers for pure Sb. © 2003 The Electrochemical Society. @DOI: 10.1149/1.1545458# All rights reserved.