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A robust and self-assembled route to synthesis of CdZn(Se1−xTex)2 photoanodes as light harvesters for photoelectrochemical solar cells

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Abstract

This work reports on the development of CdZn(Se1−xTex)2 thin films utilized as the photoanode for photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). It was found that the incorporation of tellurium plays an important role in determining the optostructural, morphological, compositional and PEC performance of thin films. XRD measurements showed that the deposited thin films are in the mixed phases with a nanocrystalline nature. SEM images indicated that the surface morphology is favourable for effective light absorption in the solar spectrum. The EDS spectrum confirmed that thin film deposition occured in a stoichiometric manner. A detailed quantitative study was also executed using XPS and revealed the presence of Cd2+, Zn2+, Se2− and Te2− elements in the deposited thin film. Finally, the deposited thin films were tested for their photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The PEC study illustrated that CdZn(Se1−xTex)2 thin film showed the highest power conversion efficiency (η) of 1.13% among reported values.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors, CSB is very much thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi for providing DST-INSPIRE fellowship for financial support (Registration No. IF140571). Author also thankful to Dr. Sawanta S. Maliand Prof. Chang. K. Hong Polymer Energy Materials Laboratory, Advanced Chemical Engineering Department, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea for providing characterisation facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India

    Chaitali S. Bagade, Vishvanath B. Ghanwat & Popatrao N. Bhosale

  2. Department of Physics, Georgetown University, 528 Reiss Science, Washington, DC, USA

    Edward Van Keuren

Authors
  1. Chaitali S. Bagade
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  2. Vishvanath B. Ghanwat
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  3. Edward Van Keuren
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  4. Popatrao N. Bhosale
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Correspondence to Popatrao N. Bhosale.

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Bagade, C.S., Ghanwat, V.B., Van Keuren, E. et al. A robust and self-assembled route to synthesis of CdZn(Se1−xTex)2 photoanodes as light harvesters for photoelectrochemical solar cells. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 11763–11773 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-9275-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-9275-x

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