Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.365, No.1-2, 87-95, 1994
Dependence of the Composition of CdTe Semiconductor on Conditions of Electrodeposition
The distribution of the composition of electrodeposited CdTe is established by a plot of quasi-rest potential vs. deposition potential. This graph indicates not only the boundary potential for separate deposition of n-type or p-type CdTe, but also shows the individual deposition potential region for the production of deposits of four types such as a mixture of p-type CdTe + Te, p-type CdTe. and a mixture of n-type CdTe + Cd. With the aid of the graph of quasi-rest potential vs. deposition potential, the effects of temperature, concentrations of CdSO4 and TeO2, and pH of solution on the distribution of composition as a function of potential are discussed. Increased temperature promotes the location of the p/n-type boundary potential on CdTe electrodeposition and clearly defines the regions of deposition potential responsible for four deposits. In a solution of H2SO4 (0.0025 M) + saturated TeO2 + CdSO4 (0.25 M), the p/n boundary potential (about -0.57 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) remains constant up to a temperature over 90-degrees-C. The pH of the solution has a great influence on the distribution. In electrolyte without addition of H2SO4, the plot of quasi-rest potential vs. deposition potential is linear and shows no p/n boundary potential. The reason is that all deposits obtained at various potentials are a mixture of Te in a major fraction and CdTe in a minor fraction. A smaller pH shifts the p/n boundary potential to a more positive value in association with an increased region of n-type CdTe and causes a shoulder-shaped increase around -0.6 V (SCE) in the curve of quasi-rest potential vs. deposition potential. The increase is due to the evolution and adsorption of H-2 on the deposit. For electrolytes containing H2SO4 (0.025 M) + CdSO4 (0.25 M) and various amounts of TeO2, an increased concentration of TeO2 from 0.2 mM to 1.2 mM initially extends slightly the region of n-type CdTe, then decreases it, at the same time increasing the region of p-type CdTe. Alteration of the concentration of CdSO4 has no effect on the curve of quasi-rest potential vs. deposition potential.
Keywords:CATHODIC DEPOSITION;TELLURIDE