COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIN-FILM CDSE ELECTRODEPOSITED FROM SELENOSULFITE SOLUTION

Cathodic electrodeposition of thin film CdSe from aqueous selenosulfite solution has been studied as a function of solution composition and electrode potential. The Cd:Se ratio has been determined using polarography and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Polarography gives a composition averaged over the whole film (ca. 3 cm**2) while RBS gives local surface composition (1 mm**2). The results of the two techniques agree within experimental error. The average Cd:Se ratio was found to be close to 1. 0 for a variety of conditions. The effect of various deposition and annealing conditions on light to electrical power conversion efficiency are presented. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to explore the mechanism for the deposition process.