Ternary chalcogenide-based photoelectrochemical cells V. Surface analyses of the CuInX/sub 2//aqueous polysulfide interface (X = S, Se) by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy; absence of Se/S exchange in the CuInSe/sub 2//S /SUB n/ = system

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2114017· OSTI ID:5347714

Mirovsky, Y; Cahen, D; Polak, M; Sawatzky, G; Tenner, R

n-CuInS/sub 2/ and n-CuInSe/sub 2/ were subjected to surface analyses by x-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy, after their use as photoanodes in polysulfide solutions. For CuInS/sub 2/ samples that had a poor (ca. 2%) conversion efficiency, a rather heterogeneous surface was found, with patches rich in In, which is probably present mainly as oxide. Some CuO was found as well, although the top layer was depleted in Cu, compared to a reference sample. More efficient (ca. 5%) samples showed a more homogeneous surface and even stronger Cu depletion. These changes are ascribed to additional surface treatments, viz., dipping in hot KCN solution and thermal oxidation o the resultant etched surface. For CuInSe/sub 2/ samples, no significant exchange of lattice Se by S from the polysulfide solution is seen, in sharp contrast to what is observed for CdSe or CdIn/sub 2/Se/sub 4/. If sulfur is found, its presence could be correlated with the spurious occurrence of Cd (used as dopant) or Ag (used for the ohmic back contact). Cu depletion also occur near the surface of the diselenide after use in polysulfide solution. Most of the remaining In seems to occur in indiu oxide and/or indium selenide. Cu/sub 2/ was found neither here nor on the surface of the more efficient disulfide sample. It is suggested that the occurrence of an indium oxide top layer, aided by thermal oxidation of the electrode in the case o CuInSe/sub 2/, has a beneficial effect on electrode performance.

• Research Organization: The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot
• OSTI ID: 5347714
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 132:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
COPPER SELENIDES
AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
COPPER SULFIDES
INDIUM SELENIDES
INDIUM SULFIDES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHOTOANODES
CADMIUM
COPPER OXIDES
INDIUM OXIDES
OXIDATION
PERFORMANCE
SILVER
SURFACE TREATMENTS
ANODES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER COMPOUNDS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SPECTROSCOPY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-)
400104 - Spectral Procedures- (-1987)