Electrochemical deposition and characterization of SnS thin films

Thin films of SnS were cathodically deposited onto stainless steel substrates from bath containing 0.025 M SnSO₄, 0.25 M KSCN and 0.25 M Na₂SO₄. The mechanism of electrochemical co-deposition of tin and sulphur was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of the chronoamperometric current–time transients suggested that, in the potential range −560 to −590 mV vs saturated calomel electrode, the electrodeposition of SnS involved progressive nucleation model. However, at a potential −600 mV, the electrodeposition involved instantaneous nucleation model. The deposits have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and optical measurements. SnS films were found to be polycrystalline with an optical energy gap of 1.38 eV.