Mechanism of Chemical Bath Deposition of CdS Thin Films: Influence of Sulphur Precursor Concentration on Microstructural and Optoelectronic Characterizations
Source abstract
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to improve our understanding of the response mechanisms associated with the formation of CdS thin films. CdS thin film remains the most valuable option for many researchers, since it has shown to be an effective buffer material for film-based polycrystalline solar cells (CdTe, CIGSe, CZTS). We performed experimental and numerical simulations to investigate the effect of different thiourea concentrations on the characteristics of the CdS buffer layer. The experimental results reveal that an increase in thiourea concentrations had a direct effect on the optical results, with bandgap values ranging from (2.32 to 2.43) eV. XRD analysis confirmed that all deposited films were polycrystalline, except for [1/0.75], where there is no CdS formation. Electrical studies indicated that CdS with a molar ratio of [Cd]/[S] of 1 had the maximum carrier concentration (3.21 × 1014 cm−3) and lowest resistivity (1843.9 Ω·cm). Based on the proposed mechanism, three kinds of mechanisms are involved in the formation of CdS layers. Among them, the ion-by-ion mechanism has a significant effect on the formation of CdS films. Besides, modelling studies reveal that the optic-electrical properties of the buffer layer play a crucial role in influencing the performance of a CIGS solar cell.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films · Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties · Copper-based nanomaterials and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Electrical, Electronics and System, FKAB, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad 10066, Iraq
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Al Muthanna, Samawah 66001, Iraq
Department of Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Industries, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon 51001, Iraq
Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, Yanbu Industrial College, Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah City 41912, Saudi Arabia
School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, College of Pharmacy, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad 10053, Iraq
Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Oil Exploration Laboratories, Baghdad 10053, Iraq
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Yanbu Industrial College, Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah City 41912, Saudi Arabia
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