Electrochemical Deposition of Co-Sb Thin Films and Nanowires

Co-Sb thin films and nanowires were grown on gold-coated polymer templates by electrochemical deposition under different potentiostatic conditions from -0.8 to -1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl. The growth of nanowires was 3D and went through several growth stages starting from the gold-coated wall. Overgrowth of nanowires Out of the porous template did not produce a fully dense film; instead, Sb-rich columnar structures (mushroom caps) were developed and connected by Co-rich needle-like structures. Compared to nanowires, the mushroom caps had a lower content of Co. With a more negative deposition potential, the content of Co in the nanowires and the mushroom caps increased. A composition of Co:Sb = 1:3 in nanowires was obtained at a constant deposition potential of -0.965 V.