Low-cost technique for preparing Cd1−<i>x</i>Zn<i>x</i>Te films and solar cells

Abstract

Cd1−xZnxTe films of various stoichiometries have been prepared by the two-stage process. The technique involves sequentially depositing thin layers of Cd, Zn, and Te on a substrate and reacting these elemental layers to form the compound. Both electrodeposition and evaporation techniques have been used in this work to deposit the elemental films. Properties of the electroplated elemental films, as well as the structural, optical and electrical characteristics of the reacted compounds, have been studied. Transparent ZnTe films of low resistivity have been obtained. Cd1−xZnxTe/CdS solar cells using films processed by the two-stage technique are demonstrated.