Electrodeposition of Sb–Se Thin Films from Organic Electrolyte

The work is devoted to the electrochemical deposition of Sb–Se thin semiconductor films and the determination of the effect of the main factors on the composition of the obtained films. The effect of the electrolyte composition, temperature, current density, etc., on the composition of Sb–Se thin films electrodeposited from an ethylene glycol electrolyte, has been studied to find the optimal composition of the electrolyte and the electrolysis mode. The results of the experiments showed that with an increase in the concentration of H 2 SeO 3 , the amount of antimony in the obtained films decreases. An increase in the electrolysis time up to 15 h positively affects the composition of the deposited films. Depending on the current density, the amount of antimony in the composition of the deposited films increases, and high-quality films are formed at a current density of 0.19 mA/cm 2 . The amount of antimony and selenium in deposits is 48.8% and 51.2%, respectively (weight the stoichiometric composition accords with 50.73% Sb and 49.27% Se). An increase in the electrolyte temperature, current density, and the concentration of SbOCl positively affect an increase in the antimony content in the composition of thin films. The optimal composition of the electrolyte and the suitable electrochemical deposition mode have been determined to obtain thin films of the chemical compound Sb 2 Se 3 close to the stoichiometric composition.