Skip to main content
Log in

Deposition methods and properties of polycrystalline CdS thin films

  • Advanced Materials
  • Published:
Journal of Wuhan University of Technology-Mater. Sci. Ed. Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

CdS thin film was used as a suitable window layer for CdS/CdTe solar cell, and the properties of CdS thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), chemical bath deposition (CBD) and magnetron sputtering (MS) were reported. The experimental results show that the transmittances of PLD-CdS thin films are about 85% and the band gaps are about 2.38–2.42eV. SEM results show that the surface of PLD-CdS thin film is much more compact and uniform. PLD is more suitable to prepare the CdS thin films than CBD and MS. Based on the thorough study, by using totally PLD technique, the FTO/PLD-CdS(150 nm)/CSS-CdTe solar cell (0.0707 cm2) can be prepared with an efficiency of 10.475%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ravichandran K, Philominathan P. Investigations on Microstructural and Optical Properties of CdS Films Fabricated by a Low-cost, Simplified Spray Technique Using Perfume Atomizer for Solar Cell Applications [J]. Solar Energy, 2008, 82:1 062–1 066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Ahmad-Bitar RN. Photoluminescence Spectra of Doped and Undoped CdS Films Preparedby Spray Pyrolysis [J]. Renewable Energy, 1998, 19:579–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ariza-Calderon H, Lozada-Morales R, Zelaya-Angel O, et al. On the Yellow-band Emission in CdS Films [J]. Applied Physics A, 1996, 14:2 480–2 485

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ikhmayies SJ. Production and Characterization of CdS/CdTe Thin Film Photovoltaic Solar Cells of Potential Industrial Use [D]. Iordon University of Jordan

  5. Vigil O, Riech I, Garcia-Rocha M, et al. Characterization of Defect Levels in Chemically Deposited CdS Films in the Cubic-to-hexagonal Phase Transition[J]. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 1997, 15:2 282–2 288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tong XL, Jiang DS, Hu WB, et al. The Comparison between CdS Thin Films Grown on Si(111) Substrate and Quartz Substrate by Femtosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition [J]. Applied Physics A, 2006, 84:143–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Morales-Acevedo A. Physical Basis for the Design of CdS/CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells [J]. Solar Energy Materials And Solar Cells, 2006, 90(6):678–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Suchea M, Christoulakis S. Substrate Temperature Influence on the Properties of Nanostructured ZnO Transparent Ultrathin Films Grown by PLD [J]. Applied Surface Science, 2007, 253(19):8 141–8 145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hu PC, Li B, Feng LH, et al. Effects of the Substrates Temperature on the Properties of CdTe thin Films Deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition [J]. Surface & Coatings Technology, 2012, 213:84–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Li W, Feng LH, Cai YP, et al. Changes in Structural and Optical Properties of CdS Thin Films during the Process of Chemical Bath Deposition [M]. Boston: MRS, 2002:487–493

    Google Scholar 

  11. Feldmeier EM, Fuchs A, Schaffner J, et al. Comparison between the Structural, Morphological and Optical Properties of CdS Layers Prepared by Close Space Sublimation and RF Magnetron Sputtering for CdTe Solar Cells [J]. Thin Solid Films, 2011, 519(21):7 596–7 599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Xie J, Li B, Li YJ, et al. Study of ZnS Thin Films Prepared by RF Magnetron Sputtering Technique [J]. Acat Physica Sinica., 2010, 59:8–14

    Google Scholar 

  13. Morales-Acevedo A. Physical Basis for the Design of CdS/CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells [J]. Solar Energy Materials And Solar Cells, 2006, 90 (6):678–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nakamura K, Gotoh M, Toshihiko Fujihara, et al. Influence of CdS Window Layer on 2-μm Thick CdS/CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells [J]. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2003, 75:185–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guanggen Zeng  (曾广根).

Additional information

Funded in part by the Chinese National Programs for High Technology Research and Development (No. 2011AA050519) and by the Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department Support Project (2013GZX0145)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liang, Q., Zeng, G., Li, B. et al. Deposition methods and properties of polycrystalline CdS thin films. J. Wuhan Univ. Technol.-Mat. Sci. Edit. 30, 307–310 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-015-1144-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11595-015-1144-3

Key words

Navigation