Electrochemical Studies of Chemically Deposited Cd1-xHgxTe (CMT) Thin Films

S. H. Mane, R. H. Mane, L. P. Deshmukh

Abstract: Abstract? Cd-rich Cadmium-mercury telluride (CMT) thin films have potential application as photovoltaic material especially at room temperature, owing to their high photosensitivity and better stability. The CMT (Cd1-xHgxTe, 0-x-0.5) thin films were therefore synthesized for diverse concentration of Hg2+ions on conducting stainless steel substrates by a simple solution growth technique. The preparation parameters were finalized in the initial stages of the work and are used to prepare the CMT electrodes employed in these investigations. The photovoltaic cells were then fabricated in H-shaped cuvette using sulphide/ polysulphide electrolyte and a treated carbon counter electrode. The cells were characterized via the current-voltage and capacitance ?voltage characteristics, photo, and spectral responses. The data were analyzed to determine various performance parameters viz. Vph, Iph, ff, ?, nd, nL, Vfb, Rs, Rsh etc. A maximum short circuit photocurrent (Iph) of 157 ?A/cm2 and open circuit photo potential (Vph) of 495 mV have been observed for a CMT photoelectrode of x value equal to 0.1. The solar to electrical conversion efficiency and fill factor have also been found improved for this x value. The improvement in performance has been attributed to the modified properties of the photosensitive CMT electrodes.

Keywords: CMT, electrochemical photovoltaic cell, photosensitivity, spectral responsivity.