ZnTe electrodeposition from organic solvents

The electrodeposition of zinc telluride was investigated from various organic solvent baths such as methanol, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate. The potential window increases with increasing boiling point of the solvents. In particular, ZnTe with high crystallinity could be obtained in propylene carbonate by the under-potential deposition (UPD) of Zn. The current efficiency for ZnTe deposition in propylene carbonate was enhanced considerably compared to that in acidic aqueous solutions. A single-phase ZnTe film close to the ideal stoichiometric composition of ZnTe could be obtained at 423 K and −0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl in propylene carbonate with a molar ratio of Zn(II)/Te(IV) = 10 and a low Te(IV) concentration; the film had a smooth and dense granular crystal morphology.