Current oscillations in the anodic dissolution of silicon: On the origin of a sustained oscillation on the macroscopic scale

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 656 - 665
• Main Authors: Chazalviel, J.-N., Ozanam, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Chemistry; Coupling; Electrochemical oscillations; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Silicon; Surface reactions; Synchronisation; Silicon; Coupling; Surface reactions; Electrochemical oscillations; Synchronisation; Surface reaction; Anodic dissolution; Oscillation; Theoretical study; Experimental study; Synchronization
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2009.08.064

The damped current oscillations observed in the anodic dissolution of silicon in fluoride electrolyte have been attributed to a sustained current oscillation on the local scale. However, the possibility of a sustained oscillation on the macroscopic scale has been a subject of controversy. Here, through a combined simulation/analytical probabilistic analysis, we examine whether an interaction between the various locations on the electrode surface may lead to a macroscopic oscillation of the total current. We find that a short-range interaction cannot lead to a synchronisation of the oscillation over the surface of a large electrode. Such a synchronisation might however be obtained on small electrodes, or with appropriate values of the system parameters. The examination of existing data in the literature rather points to a macroscopic oscillation induced by global coupling through extrinsic resistances in series with the electrode.