A comparative study of chalcogenide thin films for micro sensor applications

Abstract

Cadmium chalcogenide thin films were deposited by different processes. Pulsed laser deposition, thermal evaporation, and sputtering were used to elaborate micro devices on glass substrate from CdS-AgI-Ag2S-As2S3, CdS-Ag2S-Sb2S3 and Cd-Ag-As2S3 starting materials respectively. The micro films were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrochemistry. Comparative structural characterisation leads us to understand sensors out-put signal. The best miniaturised sensor was selected. The very first electrochemical results are presented. The potentiometric response of Cd-Ag-As2S3 sensing matrix showed a quasi-Nernstian behaviour with a great detection limit. Moreover Cd-ISE is sensitive to silver (+I) in solution.