Electroplating of CdTe Thin Films from Cadmium Sulphate Precursor and Comparison of Layers Grown by 3-Electrode and 2-Electrode Systems

被引:25
作者
Dharmadasa, Imyhamy M. [1 ]
Madugu, Mohammad L. [1 ]
Olusola, Olajide I. [1 ]
Echendu, Obi K. [2 ]
Fauzi, Fijay [3 ]
Diso, Dahiru G. [4 ]
Weerasinghe, Ajith R. [5 ]
Druffel, Thad [6 ]
Dharmadasa, Ruvini [6 ]
Lavery, Brandon [6 ]
Jasinski, Jacek B. [6 ]
Krentsel, Tatiana A. [6 ]
Sumanasekera, Gamini [6 ]
机构
[1] Sheffield Hallam Univ, Fac Arts Comp Engn & Sci, Mat & Engn Res Inst, Sheffield S1 1WB, S Yorkshire, England
[2] Fed Univ Technol Owerri, Dept Phys, Ihiagwa PMB 1526, Imo, Nigeria
[3] Univ Malaysia Perlis, Sch Elect Syst Engn, Pauh Putra Campus, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
[4] Kano Univ Sci & Technol, Wudil PMB 3244, Kano, Nigeria
[5] Calif State Univ Fresno, 2320 E San Ramon Ave, Fresno, CA 93740 USA
[6] Univ Louisville, Conn Ctr Renewable Energy Res, Louisville, KY 40292 USA
关键词
electrodeposition; CdTe; CdSO4; precursor; solar energy materials; CdS/CdTe solar cells; SOLAR-CELLS; METAL CONTACTS; PHOTOLUMINESCENCE; FABRICATION; DEPOSITION; TELLURIUM; CDS;
D O I
10.3390/coatings7020017
中图分类号
T [工业技术];
学科分类号
08 ;
摘要
Electrodeposition of CdTe thin films was carried out from the late 1970s using the cadmium sulphate precursor. The solar energy group at Sheffield Hallam University has carried out a comprehensive study of CdTe thin films electroplated using cadmium sulfate, cadmium nitrate and cadmium chloride precursors, in order to select the best electrolyte. Some of these results have been published elsewhere, and this manuscript presents the summary of the results obtained on CdTe layers grown from cadmium sulphate precursor. In addition, this research program has been exploring the ways of eliminating the reference electrode, since this is a possible source of detrimental impurities, such as K+ and Ag+ for CdS/CdTe solar cells. This paper compares the results obtained from CdTe layers grown by three-electrode (3E) and two-electrode (2E) systems for their material properties and performance in CdS/CdTe devices. Thin films were characterized using a wide range of analytical techniques for their structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties. These layers have also been used in device structures; glass/FTO/CdS/CdTe/Au and CdTe from both methods have produced solar cells to date with efficiencies in the region of 5%-13%. Comprehensive work carried out to date produced comparable and superior devices fabricated from materials grown using 2E system.
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页数:17
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