Concerted Electrodeposition and Alloying of Antimony on Indium Electrodes for Selective Formation of Crystalline Indium Antimonide.

Title Concerted Electrodeposition and Alloying of Antimony on Indium Electrodes for Selective Formation of Crystalline Indium Antimonide.
Authors E. Fahrenkrug; J. Rafson; M. Lancaster; S. Maldonado
Journal Langmuir
DOI 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00645
Abstract

The direct preparation of crystalline indium antimonide (InSb) by the electrodeposition of antimony (Sb) onto indium (In) working electrodes has been demonstrated. When Sb is electrodeposited from dilute aqueous electrolytes containing dissolved SbO, an alloying reaction is possible between Sb and In if any surface oxide films are first thoroughly removed from the electrode. The presented Raman spectra detail the interplay between the formation of crystalline InSb and the accumulation of Sb as either amorphous or crystalline aggregates on the electrode surface as a function of time, temperature, potential, and electrolyte composition. Electron and optical microscopies confirm that under a range of conditions, the preparation of a uniform and phase-pure InSb film is possible. The cumulative results highlight this methodology as a simple yet potent strategy for the synthesis of intermetallic compounds of interest.

Citation E. Fahrenkrug; J. Rafson; M. Lancaster; S. Maldonado.Concerted Electrodeposition and Alloying of Antimony on Indium Electrodes for Selective Formation of Crystalline Indium Antimonide.. Langmuir. 2017;33(37):92809287. doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00645

Related Elements

Antimony

See more Antimony products. Antimony (atomic symbol: Sb, atomic number: 51) is a Block P, Group 15, Period 5 element with an atomic radius of 121.760. Antimony Bohr Model The number of electrons in each of antimony's shells is 2, 8, 18, 18, 5 and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p3. The antimony atom has a radius of 140 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 206 pm. Antimony was discovered around 3000 BC and first isolated by Vannoccio Biringuccio in 1540 AD. In its elemental form, antimony has a silvery lustrous gray appearance. Elemental Antimony The most common source of antimony is the sulfide mineral known as stibnite (Sb2S3), although it sometimes occurs natively as well. Antimony has numerous applications, most commonly in flame-retardant materials. It also increases the hardness and strength of lead when combined in an alloy and is frequently employed as a dopant in semiconductor materials. Its name is derived from the Greek words anti and monos, meaning a metal not found by itself.

Indium

See more Indium products. Indium (atomic symbol: In, atomic number: 49) is a Block P, Group 13, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 114.818. The number of electrons in each of indium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 18, 3] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p1. The indium atom has a radius of 162.6 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 193 pm. Indium was discovered by Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymous Theodor Richter in 1863. Indium Bohr ModelIt is a relatively rare, extremely soft metal is a lustrous silvery gray and is both malleable and easily fusible. It has similar chemical properties to Elemental Indiumgallium such as a low melting point and the ability to wet glass. Fields such as optics and microelectronics that utilize semiconductor technology have wide uses for indium, especially in the form of Indiun Tin Oxide (ITO). Thin films of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) are used in high-performing solar cells. Indium's name is derived from the Latin word indicum, meaning violet.

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