LAUSR

Abstract Cu 2 Mo 6 S 8 thin films were synthesized on various substrates (R-sapphire, Mo, TiN/Si, Ti/Si and vitreous carbon) using chemical solution deposition from intermediate oxides obtained by the polymeric precursor method. The structural and microstructural characteristics of the films were studied by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical intercalation/de-intercalation was evaluated on these films by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry in aqueous CdSO 4 10 −1 , 10 −5 and 10 −6  M solutions. This work demonstrated the intercalation capacity of the Cu 2 Mo 6 S 8 films and the best results were obtained on TiN/Si: fast and reversible intercalation process, with cyclability higher than 100 cycles for an aqueous CdSO 4 10 −1 M solution which demonstrates the possibility to re-use the Cu 2 Mo 6 S 8 electrode. At lower concentration, differential pulse voltammetry method allowed to detect Cd 2+ with a minimal sensitivity of the order of 10 −6 M. These results offer promising perspectives for intercalation/de-intercalation of other heavy metal ions at low concentrations in Cu 2 Mo 6 S 8 films on TiN/Si and thus for future applications such as miniaturized electrochemical sensors.