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Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.149, No.3, C150-C158, 2002
Electrodeposition of tin needle-like structures
Electrodeposition is reported of arrays of needle-like Sn structures with tip radii similar to7 nm that can be used as electron emitters for field electron emission applications. It is well documented in the literature that in the absence of additive agents, a variety of morphological structures such as fractal, dendritic, and densely branched deposits may result from electrodeposition. It is also known that in the absence of additives, Sn dendrites can be formed. In the present research, it is shown that by controlling the electrode potential and concentration of two additive agents, a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant (Triton X-100) and a Pb(II) salt, an array of needle-like Sn structures is deposited from a Sn(II) salt in methane sulfonic acid. Although these structures may be used as electron emitters for field emission, the low melting point of Sn precludes its use in practical devices. Nevertheless, the unique preparation method that we describe may be used to investigate electrodeposited field emitter tips from higher melting metals (e.g., Ni, Pd, Ag, Au, and Cu).