[1] Chemical bath deposition typically forms films using heterogeneous nucleation (deposition or adsorption of aqueous ions onto a solid substrate),[2] to form homogeneous thin films of metal chalcogenides (mostly oxides, sulfides, and selenides)[1] and many less common ionic compounds.
Films produced by CBD are often used in semiconductors, photovoltaic cells, and supercapacitors, and there is increasing interest in using chemical bath deposition to create nanomaterials.
[1] In 1865, Justus Liebig published an article describing the use of chemical bath deposition to silver mirrors (to affix a reflective layer of silver to the back of glass to form a mirror),[5] though in the modern day electroplating and vacuum deposition are more common.
Chemical bath deposition films can be made to absorb certain wavelengths and reflect or transmit others as desired.
This selective transmission can be used for anti-reflection and anti-dazzling coatings, solar thermal applications, optical filters, polarizers, total reflectors, etc.
[1] The films deposited by Chemical Bath Deposition have possible applications in anti-reflection, anti-dazzling, thermal control widow coatings, optical filters, total reflectors, poultry protection and warming coatings, light emitting diodes, solar cell fabrication, and varistors.
Chemical bath deposition can be used to produce polycrystalline and epitaxial films, porous networks, nanorods, superlattices, and composites.
[1] Agitating the solution prevents the deposition of suspended colloidal crystals,[6] creating a smoother and more homogenous film with a higher band gap energy.
[2][7] In ion-by-ion deposition, aqueous precursor ions react directly to form the thin film.
The hydroxide ions act as ligands to the metal cations, forming insoluble colloidal clusters which are both dispersed throughout the solution and deposited onto the substrate.
[1] Substrates such as carbonized melamine foam (CFM)[citation needed] and acrylic acid (AA) hydrogels[9] have also been used for some specialized applications.