POLYCRYSTALLINE N-PBXCD1-XS MIXED ELECTRODES FOR PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL(PEC) SOLAR-CELLS

The electrochemical behaviour of a polycrystalline mixed n-PbXCd1-XS t hin him electrode has been investigated. The electrode composition par ameter, x, was varied from 0 to 0.2. A photoelectrochemical cell of th e configuration n-PbxCd1-xS/Na2S-S-NaOH/C was formed, and the I-V and C-V characteristics were examined to understand the nature of the char ge transfer process across the electrode/electrolyte interface. The ce ll was illuminated by a 50 mW/cm(-2) light intensity, and the power ou tput curves (versus SCE) have been obtained and analysed for all the p hotoelectrode compositions. The short circuit current (I-sc) is found to be enhanced, whereas the open circuit voltage (V-oc) remains more o r less the same. The power conversion efficiency (eta%) and form facto r (ff%) were found to be improved, typically they are 0.833% and 30%, respectively, for a photoelectrode composition with x = 0.075. The fla t band potential (V-fb) is also higher for this composition. The resul ts are explained on the basis of the modified properties of the photoe lectrode material.