Improved efficiency of n-CdSe thin-film photoelectrodes by zinc surface treatment

Abstract

The open circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency of n‐CdSe thin‐film electrodes for photoelectrochemical solar cells have been improved by treating the surface with Zn⁺⁺ ions. The overall efficiency of these electrodes was increased from ∼5% to as high as 6.5% with a soaking treatment in 1 M ZnC1₂. Photoelectrochemical measurement and Auger spectroscopy indicated the observed improvements were the result of a shift in the flat‐band potential to more negative values due to the incorporation of zinc into the surface region of the CdSe thin film.