Investigation of electrochemical processes for synthesis and removal of CuInSe2 thin films

Electrochemical deposition of CuInSe2 films has been explored as a low-cost alternative to vacuum deposition. A special feature of this approach is that each element or compound may be selectively deposited or dissolved at a specific potential. This approach could further provide an environmentally benign means to recycle CuInSe2 from spent or defective modules. The paper investigates the reaction mechanisms for co-deposition, as well as, removal of CuInSe2. Rotating ring-disk and photoelectrochemical methods probe the formation and dissolution of Se, Cu2Se, In2Se3 and CuInSe2 films and the corrosion of CuInSe2 single crystal. The results provide important insights into the multiple reaction paths leading to the electrosynthesis of CuInSe2 films and new directions for developing an electrochemical recycling scheme for CuInSe2 modules.