Electrodeposition Fabrication of Chalcogenide Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

Electrodeposition, which features low cost, easy scale-up, good control in the composition and great flexible substrate compatibility, is a favorable technique for producing thin films. This paper reviews the use of the electrodeposition technique for the fabrication of several representative chalcogenides that have been widely used in photovoltaic devices. The review focuses on narrating the mechanisms for the formation of films and the key factors that affect the morphology, composition, crystal structure and electric and photovoltaic properties of the films. The review ends with a remark section addressing some of the key issues in the electrodeposition method towards creating high quality chalcogenide films.

Synthesis of Copper Telluride Thin Films by Electrodeposition and Their Electrical and Thermoelectric Properties

“…Figure 3D shows the SEM image of the Cu 0.5 Te thin film, which exhibits a smooth and dense surface morphology, while Figure 3B shows the XRD pattern of the thin film with Cu/Te 1, which reveals the presence of crystalline intermetallic CuTe, and small amounts of Te. Unlike the surface morphology of the Cu 0.5 Te thin film, which exhibits a smooth and dense surface, the surface morphology of the CuTe thin film (Figure 2E) can be described as a cluster of small nanoparticles forming the thin film with spherical micrometer-sized particles on the top, akin to the formation of other chalcogenides under low-pH conditions (Saha et al, 2020). The thin film with Cu/Te 2 (Figure 3C) shows obvious crystallinity that corresponds to intermetallic Cu 2 Te; this thin film exhibits an ellipsoidal particle morphology with cracks that may result from internal tensile stresses (Figure 3F) (Eliaz et al, 2005).…”

Structural and Optical Characterizations of Cadmium Chalcogenide Layers on Polyamide Formed Using Monotelluropentathionic Acid

“…A wide range of methods have been applied to produce cadmium chalcogenide thin layers including electrodeposition [10], high-frequency magnetron sputtering [11], spray pyrolysis [12], thermal co-evaporation [13], the thermal decomposition of cadmium organic precursors [14], vapor deposition [15], electron beam evaporation [16] and others. Unfortunately, most of these techniques require special equipment and conditions like high temperature, vacuum, and conductive substrates, making them unsuitable and costly for the manufacture of the majority of polymers, and usually consist of many stages.…”

Structural and Optical Characterizations of Cadmium Chalcogenide Layers on Polyamide Formed Using Monotelluropentathionic Acid

“…A wide range of methods have been applied to produce cadmium chalcogenide thin layers, including electrodeposition [10], high-frequency magnetron sputtering [11], spray pyrolysis [12], thermal co-evaporation [13], the thermal decomposition of cadmium organic precursors [14], vapor deposition [15], electron beam evaporation [16], and others. Unfortunately, most of these techniques require special equipment and conditions such as high temperature, vacuum, and conductive substrates, and they usually consist of many stages, making them unsuitable and costly for the manufacture of the majority of polymers.…”