Novel process for electrodeposition of Bi2S3 thin films

A novel method for electrochemical deposition of Bi2S3 from an aqueous acid bath comprising Na2S2O3 and Bi(NO3)3 complexed with disodium salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) is proposed using SO3−2 ions as a sulfur source. For stoichiometric deposition, the initial concentrations of Na2S2O3 and Bi(NO3)3 in the solution are determined from the experimental current–potential relations based on a current model under diffusion control. X-ray diffraction reveals that the deposits have no single substance and compound other than Bi2S3 within experimental uncertainties. This indicates that the system in this study obeys the current model under diffusion control.