Cathodic Deposition of Components in BiSbTe Ternary Compounds as Thermoelectric Films Using Choline-Chloride-Based Ionic Liquids

Abstract

This paper reports electrodeposition of BiTe, SbTe, and BiSbTe films using ionic liquids based on choline chloride (ChCl) and malonic acid mixtures (1:1 moles) at 80°C to 85°C. The electrolyte contained bismuth and/or antinomy species and tellurium species with 1.5 mM to 50 mM concentrations; Pt sheet, Pt mesh, and Pt wire were used for working, auxiliary, and quasireference electrodes, respectively. Cyclic voltammograms revealed the beginning and cathodic peak of pure Te deposition; at more negative potentials simultaneous codeposition of binary or ternary compounds as limiting currents or a series of peaks were observed. Correspondingly, two or three dissolution (stripping) anodic peaks were observed. Nyquist and Bode impedance spectra show differences in Pt behavior due to its polarization at various cathodic potentials. Equivalent-circuit components providing the best fit to the data were calculated. Deposition of BiSbTe films on copper plates was also performed by electrolysis at controlled potentials or current pulses. Some measurements of Seebeck coefficients of the obtained films were carried out.