Electrodeposited cadmium selenide films for solar cells

We have conceived this paper according to our background and interest in the preparation and photoelectrochemistry of II-VI semiconductor thin films. The synthesis of polycrystalline CdSe thin films by cathodic electrodeposition on conducting substrates is described. Electrodeposition involves potentiostatic reduction from an acid aqueous bath. The influence of bath temperature and deposition potential on the crystallinity is discussed. For optimized deposition parameters, the XRD patterns reveal cubic and hexagonal CdSe. Electron probe microanalysis shows an excess of Se in the samples. Photoelectrochemical studies of the films in aqueous polysulfide allowed us to determine the photovoltaic properties e.g: semiconducting type, short-circuit current, open circuit voltage and fill factor.