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A voltammetric study of compound formation in the Hg-Cd-Te system

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2086610· OSTI ID:6725858
; ;  [1]
  1. Texas Univ., Arlington, TX (USA). Dept. of Chemistry

The cathodic electrodeposition chemistry in the ternary Hg-Cd-Te system has been studied using hydrodynamic voltammetry in conjunction with cyclic photovoltammetry, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, and optical measurements. The binary Hg-Te system was studied first, as a prelude to the more complex ternary case. An H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} electrolyte matrix was used in these studies. The Hg stripping waves observed on the return scan at the disk were altered in shape when the disk was scanned into the Te{sup 4 +} {r arrow} Te{degrees} and Te{sup 4 +} {r arrow} Te{sup 2 {minus}} regimes on the forward sweep. Monitoring of the ring response both at 1.40 V and 0 V permitted selective detection of Hg and Te species generated at the disk. Evidence for the kinetic sluggishness of HgTe compound formation is presented and contrasted with the CdTe case. In both the Hg-Te and Hg-Cd-Te cases,the broad anodic dissolution envelope at potentials positive of {approximately} 0.70 V (contrasting the clean stripping behavior of the individual components in isolation) was taken to be diagnostic of compound formation. The ring response at 1.40 V, which is tuned to Hg{sub 2}{sup 2 +} collection, is shown to be an effective indicator of the presence of free Hg in the electrodeposits. The presence of Cd{sup 2 +} ions and also a sequential deposition mode (Hg first followed by Te and Cd) appeared to facilitate quantitative conversion of elemental Hg. XRD data also show that Te formation (as a separate phase) is less of a problem with the Hg-Cd-Te system, again contrasting the situation with the Cd-Te case. Optical response and Auger electron spectroscopy measurements of the Hg-Cd-Te thin films indicate incomplete alloying of the HgTe and CdTe phases at room temperature.

OSTI ID:
6725858
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (USA) Vol. 137:4; ISSN JESOA; ISSN 0013-4651
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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