Preparation of Dendritic Te Crystals by Electrodeposition: Growth Mechanism Study

Abstract

Two kinds of dendritic Te crystals were successfully prepared by electrodepositing TeO2 in pH = 3, 8 and 11 solutions respectively. The parameter of pH played an important role in growth rate. Moreover, the nucleation of Te in pH = 3 and 8 solutions were conformed to progressive type while in pH = 11 solution was conformed to instantaneous type. By systematically studying the morphologies evolution of Te crystals with different deposition times in pH = 3, 8 and 11 solutions, the structure of crystal was confirmed directly decided by nucleation type. Base on this, a growth mechanism for two kinds of dendritic crystals was proposed. Moreover, this mechanism may provide a reference for predicting the morphology of Te crystals in electrodeposition process. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society.