Electrochemical Solar Cells Using CdSe Thin Film Electrodes

Electrochemical photocells consisting of a CdSe thin film anode and a Pt cathode immersed in 1M Na/sub 2/S-NaOH-S solution have been studied. CdSe thin films were formed on Ti, Cr, Mo, SnO/sub 2/, glassy carbon, and graphite substrates by coating an aqueous mixture of CdSe, ZnCl/sub 2/, and surfactant, subsequently sintering at 400/sup 0/-500/sup 0/C in air. The current-voltage (I-V) relations, output power efficiency, open-circuit voltage, and short-circuit current were measured. Seven percent power conversion efficiency was obtained at 20 mW/cm/sup 2/ light intensity after photoetching. The monochromatic I-V curves were analyzed.