Electrodeposition and characterization of thermoelectric Bi2Se3 thin films

Bi2Se3 thin films were electrochemically deposited on Ti and indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates, respectively, at room temperature, using Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and SeO2 as starting materials in diluted HNO3 solution. A conventional three-electrode cell was used with a platinum sheet as a counter electrode, and a saturated calomel electrode was used as a reference electrode. The films were annealed in argon atmosphere. The influence of cold isostatic pressing before annealing on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the films was investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the film grown on the indium tin oxide-coated glass substrate is pure rhombohedral Bi2Se3, and the film grown on the Ti substrate consists of both rhombohedral and orthorhombic Bi2Se3.