In situ microscopic observation of nucleation and growth processes in electrodeposition of (BEDT-TTF)/sub 2/ Cu(NCS)/sub 2/ thin films

Summary form only given. Awano et al. have attempted electrodeposition of thin films of (BEDT-TTF)/sub 2/ Cu(NCS)/sub 2/, which is a representative organic superconductor. Knowledge of nucleation and growth processes is necessary for obtaining a good film. In this work, we investigate electrodeposition of thin films of this salt from a homogeneous solution in 1,1,2-trichloroethane onto indium tin oxide substrates. We observed nucleation and growth processes in situ with a cell, an optical microscope and a video recording system which have been described elsewhere. When we apply a potential of 1.5 V vs. Ag, nucleation begins and the nuclei grow to microscopically visible dimension within 1 min. Applying 3.0 V for 10 S, followed by applying 1.5 V, innumerable small nuclei are generated where the nucleation density is increased at least two orders of magnitude. Nucleation and growth features strongly depend on the potential.