Patent ID: 8795504

Claim:
A method of depositing a platinum-iridium thin film on a base, the method comprising: preparing an electrolyte solution by heating an aqueous solution to boiling, then cooling the aqueous solution to room temperature under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, wherein the aqueous solution contains metal that consists essentially of platinum and iridium or of salts containing platinum and iridium; causing contact between a metal base and the electrolyte solution for electrodeposition, wherein the electrolyte solution is non-cytotoxic; causing contact between two or more electrodes and the electrolyte solution, wherein the electrodes are configured to apply an electric potential to the electrolyte solution; by use of the electrolyte solution, causing electrical contact between at least one of the two or more electrodes and the metal base; applying the electric potential to the two or more electrodes in the electrolyte solution in an amount sufficient to cause deposition of Pt and Ir on the metal base, wherein applying the electric potential comprises sweeping the electric potential over a range of voltages; and forming a deposited thin film on the base, wherein the thin film has a desired composition of Pt and Ir, wherein, during the step of applying the electric potential to the electrodes, the electrolyte solution is agitated with an ultrasonic homogenizer.