Electrolyte electroreflectance of single-crystal CdIn/sub 2/Se/sub 4/ in a photoelectrochemical solar cell

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2115690· OSTI ID:6085403

Tomkiewicz, M; Siripala, W; Tenne, R

Electroreflectance was used to evaluate the optical properties of CdIn/sub 2/Se/sub 4/ in polysulfide solution, before and after photoetching. The variations of signal intensity with electrode potential were used to trace the band position as a function of potential. It was found that the optical transition fits a three-dimensional parabolic model of the density of states, with direct transition at 1.825 eV. When the crystal is photoetched, there is a shift of 98/sup 0/ in the phase factor and a decrease in the broadening parameter from 0.42 to 0.32 eV. By monitoring the signal intensity with potential, it was shown that, irrespective of photoetching, the Fermi level is pinned as reverse bias conditions are approached. The pinning is ascribed to surface states that most likely originate from the adsorption of the electrolyte. The variation of the flatband potential with electrode potentials was calculated and was determined to occur because of the changes in the potential of the Helmholtz layer; the energy distribution and the density of states, which are responsible for those changes in potential of the Helmholtz layer, were also calculated.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Brooklyn College of CUNY, Brooklyn, New York
• OSTI ID: 6085403
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 131:4; ISSN JESOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140505* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photochemical
Photobiological
& Thermochemical Conversion-- (1980-)
ADSORPTION
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM SELENIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CRYSTALS
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
EQUIPMENT
ETCHING
INDIUM COMPOUNDS
INDIUM SELENIDES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORING
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SELENIDES
SELENIUM COMPOUNDS
SIGNALS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SORPTION
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
SURFACE FINISHING
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS