Preparation and characterization of Cu-Ga-Se thin films synthesized by electrodeposition: Effect of complexing agent and supporting electrolyte

CuGaSe2 (CGS) is a semiconductor that has potential use as a photo electrode for solar water splitting. Its wide band gap and high absorption coefficient make it an ideal candidate for the top absorber in tandem structures. CGS can be synthesized by several techniques, being electrodeposition the mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials chemistry and physics 2018-07, Vol.213 (C), p.324-334
Main Authors: Fernandez, A.M., Turner, J.A., Lara-Lara, B., Deutsch, T.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorptivity
Band gap
Chalcogenides
Composition
Copper
Copper-galium-selenide
Diffraction
Diffraction patterns
Electrodeposition
Electrodes
MATERIALS SCIENCE
Morphology
Semiconductors
Silver chloride
SOLAR ENERGY
Synthesis
Thin films
Water splitting
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:CuGaSe2 (CGS) is a semiconductor that has potential use as a photo electrode for solar water splitting. Its wide band gap and high absorption coefficient make it an ideal candidate for the top absorber in tandem structures. CGS can be synthesized by several techniques, being electrodeposition the most advantageous from a technical standpoint. Many reports show that electrodeposition of these films for producing the desired precursor atomic composition can be aided by using a complexing agent. However, the use of supporting electrolyte and the type of the electrolyte to improve the atomic composition in the films has never been reported. Using cyclic voltammetry, with complexing agents and deposition potentials between −0.5 and −0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode atomic ratios close to the ideal values ([Cu]/[Ga] = 1 and [Se]/[Cu + Ga] = 1), based on atomic composition and morphology analysis are reported in this work. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD), the as-deposited films exhibit poor crystallinity; however, the XRD patterns evidence the formation CuGaSe2 after annealing of the samples. •Adequate complex agent and supporting electrolyte improve the atomic composition.•Anneal in Se atmosphere improve the morphology and atomic composition in CGS samples.•Ga2Se3 formation is affected by adding the supporting electrolyte in CGS electrolitic bath.
ISSN:0254-0584
1879-3312
DOI:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2018.03.083