The Suppression Effects of Polymers on Indium Electrodepostion

The electrodeposition of indium was investigated against varying concentrations of four different polymers. Cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry was performed to analyze the polymers’ abilities to suppress the deposition. Through these tests it was determined that the suppression of indium deposition occurs at a specific potential range due to the polymers’ adsorption on the electrode being potential dependent. Polymer adsorption is also strongly dependent on the property of polymer molecules such as the molecular weight, hydrophobicity, as well as their concentrations. As the adsorption of polymer on the electrode increases, so does the suppression of the indium deposition. By ensuring a constant potential range, rotation rate and scan rate, the suppressing effects of the polymers could be accurately compared. The results of this research will be applied to micro-chip manufacturing in an attempt to achieve bottom-up filling in the production of indium superconducting interconnects.