PbS thin films for photovoltaic applications obtained by non-traditional chemical bath deposition

Abstract

To optimize cost-efficiency relation for thin film solar cells, we explore the recently developed versions of chemical deposition of semiconductor films, together with classic CBD (Chemical Bath Deposition): SILAR (Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction) and PCBD (Photo Chemical Bath Deposition), all of them ammonia-free and ecologically friendly. The films of CdS and PbS were made, and experimental solar cells with CdS window layer and PbS absorber elaborated. We found that band gap of PbS films can be monitored by deposition process due to porosity-induced quantum confinement which depends on the parameters of the process. We expect that the techniques employed can be successfully used for production of optoelectronic devices.