On a thermodynamic description of Se(IV) electroreduction and CdSe electrolytic formation on Ni, Ti and Pt cathodes in acidic aqueous solution

A discussion on tetravalent Se electroreduction and CdSe cathodic electrodeposition in terms of thermodynamics, in association with an investigation on the voltammetric behavior of Pt, Ni and Ti working electrodes in a high temperature (85 °C) acidic aqueous bath, is presented. The underpotential co-deposition of Cd with Se is described within the frame of a known electrochemical model of compound formation. The data presented serve as an effective basis for studying the electroreduction of Se(IV) as well as for determining the relevance of theoretical predictions to experimental findings on a binary compound electrodeposition process.