Potentiostatic electrodeposition of cuprous oxide thin films

Abstract

Current-potential scans were used to investigate the electrodeposition of coprous oxide thin films in an acetate bath. We found that a narrow potential domain, from OV vs SCE, is available for the potentiostatic electrodeposition of cuprous oxide thin films and extension of this domain towards more cathodic potentials will result in the co-deposition of copper. These results were further verified by the x-ray diffraction measurements on the thin films formed by the electrodeposition at various electrode potensials. Optical transmission studies revealed that electrodeposited cuprous oxide is a direct band gap semiconductor of 2.0 eV.