Electrodeposition as a new route to synthesize superconducting FeSe

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel electrochemical deposition method to synthesize superconducting FeSe films with controlled composition, achieving superconductivity at 8.1 K, comparable to traditional synthesis methods.

Contribution

It introduces electrodeposition as a new route for synthesizing superconducting FeSe films with controlled stoichiometry and crystalline structure.

Findings

FeSe films synthesized via electrodeposition exhibit superconductivity at 8.1 K.

The composition ratio of Fe to Se can be controlled by synthesis voltage and pH.

The resulting films have a highly crystalline tetragonal FeSe structure.

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized FeSe films by the electrochemical deposition in the electrolyte containing FeCl_{2}\cdot4H_{2}O, SeO_{2} and Na_{2}SO_{4}. The composition ratio of Fe and Se was controlled by the synthesis voltage and pH value. The FeSe film with the composition ratio of Fe : Se = 1 : 1 is fabricated at a voltage of -0.9 V and pH 2.1 in our electrochemical deposition. This sample has a highly crystalline tetragonal FeSe structure and exhibits a superconducting transition at 8.1 K, comparable to FeSe synthesized by other methods.