CD1-XZNXS THIN-FILM ELECTRODE FOR PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL (PEC) APPLICATIONS

An electrochemical study of a mixed type Cd1-xZnxS semiconductor photo electrode is reported. The electrode was prepared from an aqueous alka line medium consisting of Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions simultaneously in a defin ite volume stoichiometric proportion. A photoelectrochemical (PEC) cel l of the configuration n-Cd1-xZnxS/Na2S-S-NaOH/C was fabricated and th e dynamic current-voltage and capacitance voltage characteristics in t he dark have been examined at room temperature. The power output curve s have been obtained under 22.4 mW cm light intensity and it has been found that both V-oc and I-sc increased with the photoelectrode compos ition, x, attained a maximum at x = 0.3 and decreased thereafter. Effi ciency (eta) and form factor (ff) also show similar variations. The ot her cell parameters, namely barrier height (Phi(B)), series and shunt resistances (R-s and R-sh), dark and illuminated ideality factors (n(d ) and n(L)), flat-band potential (V-fb) and deep and shallow donor lev els (N-D1 and N-D2), have been determined and the effect of compositio n parameter, x, on them is revealed. The electrode composition-depende nt performance of a PEC cell is explained adequately.