Characterization of CuInS2 thin films prepared by one-step electrodeposition

Y. DI IORIO; M. BERRUET; M. VAZQUEZ

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2014 vol. 44 p. 1279 - 1287

0021-891X

CuInS2 thin films were fabricated by one-step electrochemical deposition from a single alkaline aqueous solution and using conductive glass as the substrate. The electrolyte consisted in 0.01 mol L-1 CuCl2, 0.01 mol L-1 InCl3, 0.5 mol L-1 Na2SO3 and 0.2 mol L-1 Na3C3H5-O(COO)3 (CitNa) at pH 8. The films were analyzed using a variety of techniques such as X-ray diffractometry, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoelectrochemistry.After carrying out a thermal treatment in sulfurvapor, chalcopyrite CuInS2 thin films were obtained. Etching the films in KCN solution was found to be a keystep, enabling a final adjustment in the stoichiometry.These thin films exhibited p-type semiconductor behavior with the bandgap of 1.43 eV. The results show that electrodeposition provides a cost-effective and versatile method for the preparation of thin films of CuInS2, even when acidic precursors need to be avoided.