Electrochemical synthesis of photosensitive nano-nest like CdSe0.6Te0.4 thin films

Polycrystalline CdSe0.6Te0.4 thin films were deposited on stainless steel and ITO coated glass (ITO) substrates by using simple and inexpensive electrodeposition method. CdSe0.6 Te-0.4 films are characterized by different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and contact angle measurement. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the films are polycrystalline with hexagonal crystal structure. FE-SEM studies reveal that the entire substrate surface is covered with CdSe0.6 Te-0.4 nano-nest. Formation of CdSe0.6Te0.4 compound was confirmed from the FTIR studies. Optical absorption study shows the presence of direct transition and a considerable band gap, E-g = 1.7 eV. Surface wettability with solid-liquid interface showed hydrophilic nature with water contact angle 57 degrees (<90 degrees). Further photovoltaic activity of CdSe0.6Te0.4 films were studied by forming the photoelectrochemical cell having CdSe0.Te-6(0).(4)/1 M (Na2S + S + NaOH)/C cell configuration. The efficiency and fill factor of these PEC cells are found to be 0.64% and 0.49 respectively. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.