Preparation and Characterization of Electrodeposited CuInSe₂ Thin Films

Abstract

CuInSe 2 thin films were prepared on SnO 2 -coated glass by electrodeposition from aqueous solution containing CuCl 2 , InCl 3 and SeO 2 . The deposition was carried out by varying cathode potential. It was found that the Cu/In ratio which influences CuInSe 2 characteristics greatly can be controlled by the cathode potential. Annealing of as-deposited films in N 2 atmosphere at 350°C was found to result in the formation of CuInSe 2 films having a chalcopyrite structure. With the use of these annealed CuInSe 2 thin films, CdS/CuInSe 2 thin-film solar cells were formed as a preliminary step and the conversion efficiency of 1.49% was obtained.