PHOTOPOTENTIAL SPECTRUM FOR ELECTRODEPOSITED CdSe FILMS
Photopotential spectral dependence for electrodeposited CdTe films with thickness <i>d</i> = 2 - 20 μm has been studied. Deposition has been performed on Ni cathode from (1 M CdSO<sub>4</sub> + 1 mM TeO<sub>2</sub> + 0.05 M H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) electrolyte at 85 °C. The photopotential (a difference between dark potential and light potential of CdTe electrode) measured in 0.1 M Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>3</sub> in open circuit reaches its maximum for CdTe films with <i>d</i> = 10 μm. In thicker films, photoelectrochemical activity reduction has been observed, associated with formation of multiphase films containing, along with CdTe, also Te and CdTe<sub>1+x</sub> phases. Photoelectrochemical behavior of films has been modeled by CdTe/Te heterostructure behavior.