Electrochemical and optical study of rhenium layers formed on gold electrodes

Films obtained after cathodic polarization at Ec, −0.2 V≤Ec≤0.1 V (vs. RHE), in aqueous acid perrhenate have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry and ellipsometry. The thickness and optical indices corresponding to the electrodeposited rhenium layer were calculated. The results indicate the formation of a composite layer, with a volumetric fraction of about 30% of metallic rhenium and hydrogen occlusion.