Electrodeposition of epitaxial metal thin films on silicon for energy conversion and flexible electronics

<p>"This research focuses on epitaxial electrodeposition of two coinage metals: Au and Ag thin films on the silicon surface and their applications in flexible electronics and energy conversion and storage. The first paper: <em>Photoelectrochemistry of ultrathin, semi-transparent, and catalytic gold films electrodeposited epitaxially onto n-silicon (111)</em> describes the epitaxial electrodeposition of Au thin films on n-type Si using a simple HAuCl4 bath and the photoelectrochemical properties of the Au-Si junction barrier. The effect of the Au layer on the interfacial energetics as well as the stability of the photoelectrode as a function of the Au coverage/thickness is determined in a regenerative cell. The second paper: <em>Epitaxial lift-off of electrodeposited single-crystal gold foils for flexible electronics</em> shows a technique for epitaxial lift-off of Au foils as semi-transparent, flexible and single crystal-like substrates for flexible electronics. A Au thin film is first deposited on Si and then photooxidation is performed followed by a lift-off process. The Au foils exhibit a low sheet resistance down to 7 ohms per square and show only a 4% increase in resistance after 4000 bending cycles. A flexible organic light-emitting diode that was spin-coated on a Au foil exploited the transmittance and flexibility of the foil. The third paper: <em>Electrodeposition of nanometer-thick epitaxial films of silver onto single-crystal silicon wafers</em> introduces the electrodeposition of epitaxial Ag thin films on n-type Si of three different low-index orientations from an acetate bath. A comparison of silver acetate electrolyte and cyanide electrolyte was also performed, showing advantages of the acetate bath over the cyanide bath for growth of epitaxial films of Ag on Si surfaces"--Abstract, page iv.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D. in Chemistry

Grantor

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Author dc:creator

• Chen, Qingzhi

• Chemistry
• Materials Science and Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/2804

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-3809