Effect of post annealing on chemisynthesized cadmium selenide (CdSe) thin films: physicochemical and photoelectrochemical properties

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2023-10, Vol.34 (28), p.1940, Article 1940
• Main Authors: Nikam, R. P., Lokhande, V. C., Khot, S. D., Bagwade, P. P., Gunjakar, J. L., Lokhande, C. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Annealing; Cadmium selenide; Cadmium selenides; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Charge transfer; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal structure; Crystallization; Efficiency; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Energy shortages; Fossil fuels; Materials Science; Morphology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photovoltaic cells; Screen printing; Solar energy; Spectrum analysis; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Substrates; Thin films
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-023-11312-x

The utilization of solar energy is an essential aspect in order to sustain in the energy crisis situation. Semiconductor based photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells are used for it. Herein, a binder free approach was employed for the synthesis of CdSe thin films on stainless steel substrate and effect of post annealing (350–500 K) on physicochemical as well as photoelectrochemical properties were investigated. The characterization showed that CdSe thin films crystallized in cubic crystal structure with spherical granular morphology with optical band gap of 1.76 eV. The effect of post annealing on CdSe thin films is further tested by examining their PEC properties. Thin film CdSe electrode annealed at temperature 400 K showed highest fill factor ( FF ) and efficiency ( η ) of 0.32 and 1.54%, respectively. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study showed superior charge transfer properties.