Electrodeposition of CdTe thin films
Cadmium telluride thin films were fabricated on Ti and Nesatron substrates by electrodeposition and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analyses (EDAX), optical transmission measurements, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies. The deposition-bath preparation procedure was slightly modified from the literature method to permit initial speciation of TeO/sub 2/ and thereby increase the loading level of Te in the film. New data are presented on the electrochemistry of the deposition process and on the cyclic voltammetric behavior of TeO/sub 2/ containing electrolytes in the pH range from about 0.7 to 11.0. The films after suitable annealing in an Ar atmosphere show x-ray diffraction behavior consistent with a hexagonal structure. Data from EDAX show that the Cd/Te ratio in the film is sensitive to the annealing process. Concomitantly, the conductivity also changes from p-type to n-type, as shown by PEC measurements on the films containing a protective ..cap alpha..-PbO/sub 2/ coating in contact with alkaline polysulfide electrolytes. Finally, some preliminary data are presented on PEC cells based on these CdTe thin films in a nonaqueous electrolyte system comprising the ferrocene/ferricenium ion redox couple.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
- OSTI ID:
- 5955052
- Journal Information:
- J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 131:9; ISSN JESOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of electrodeposited ZnTe layers as window materials in ZnTe/CdTe/CdHgTe multi-layer solar cells
Formation of a silver-rich surface layer on electrodeposited CdTe
Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMISTRY
COHERENT SCATTERING
DEPOSITION
DIFFRACTION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
LYSIS
MICROSCOPY
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SCATTERING
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
TELLURIDES
TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS
THIN FILMS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS