Abstract

Electrochemical reactions involved in the electrodeposition of PbSe and the electrochemical behaviour of the related precursors, HSeO₃⁻ and Pb(EDTA)²⁻, have been studied for the first time by combined electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Formation of PbSe was found to occur by an induced codeposition mechanism via a six-electron reduction reaction. HSeO₃⁻ is reduced by a four-electron reaction but the electrode becomes passivated. The reduction and oxidation of Pb(EDTA)²⁻ occur via two-electron mechanisms, on the other hand, during the oxidation adsorption reactions are also observed.