Continuous advances in electronics and micro–nanotechnologies require the use of generators, local coolers and temperature stabilizers with a significantly reduced size, a light weight and long life duration. The thermoelectric technology is a good alternative to fabricate such devices. This technology can be easily miniaturized in the opposite of compressors and battery in reason of the absence of moving parts. Most Peltier devices for cooling and power generation applications are made with bismuth telluride-based compounds, the best materials to date for room-temperature. These materials were already synthesized using the continuous electrodeposition [i]. However, the thermoelectric properties of the electroplated films are lower than the single crystal due to the presence of defaults and cracks.

In order to optimize the morphology and the physical properties of these materials, it is possible to have recourse to pulsed electrodeposition. This advanced form of electrodeposition offers better control over deposit properties by controlling the interfacial supply and electrochemical reaction. A high number of variables offers effective ways to control macroscopic properties [ii].

This study presents the synthesis of Bi₂Te₃ films by pulsed electrodeposition on gold substrate. The influence of the cathodic potential or current density and the electrolyte concentration over stoichiometry and nucleation mode was studied. In order to measure the thermoelectric parameters of these films, the gold substrate was replaced by a 30 nm Bi₂Te₃ film deposited by an electroless method [iii]. Then, the power factor of pulsed electrodeposited films (5 µm) on this substrate was determined.

[ii] D. Del Frari, S. Diliberto, N. Stein, C. Boulanger, J.M. Lecuire, J. Appl. Electrochem.36 (2006)449.

[iii] L. Scidone, S. Diliberto, N. Stein, C. Boulanger, J.M. Lecuire, Materials Letters 59 (2005) 746.

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