Influence of carbon dioxide and water concentration on terbium thin films produced by Molecular Plating
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Ernst Artes
,
Primiana Cavallo
,
Tobias Häger
Abstract
Terbium and thulium thin films were produced by Molecular Plating under controlled conditions to elucidate a possible influence of water and carbon dioxide present in the plating solution. Platings were made in a glovebox with variable concentration of residual water and CO2 in a controlled inert atmosphere to study the impact on the quality of the produced thin films and on deposition yields. The morphology of the thin films was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The deposition yield was determined by neutron activation analysis at the research reactor TRIGA Mainz. Chemical analysis of the deposited layers was conducted using a combination of infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Raman and IR spectra reveal the formation of hydroxides, oxides and carbonates. Water in the plating solution affects the quality of the thin films when its concentration exceeds 1 vol%. The presence of CO2 leads to an increased carbonate content, which negatively influences the film quality.
Acknowledgments
Our sincere thanks go the staff of the mechanical workshop at the research reactor TRIGA Mainz for their local support. We would also like to thank Constantin Haese from the Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung Mainz who carried out NMR measurements for us. We acknowledge funding from the German Federal Ministry for Research and Education (project 05P21UMFN2). The experimental data used in this research were generated through access to the ActUsLab/PAMEC under the Framework of access to the Joint Research Centre Physical Research Infrastructures of the European Commission (Project Targets-SHE2, Research Infrastructure Access Agreement No 36107/01).
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: During the preparation of this work the authors used [ChatGPT GPT-4o] to improve readability and language. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.
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Conflict of interest: The author statse no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: German Federal Ministry for Research and Education (project 05P21UMFN2).
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Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, E.A., upon reasonable request.
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