Electrochemical Preparation of Cuprous Sulfide

Summary

The objective of this work is to show the possibility of forming the cuprous sulfide of CdS-Cu₂S solar cells by cathodic reduction. Cuprous sulfide of stoichiometric ratio greater than 1,99 can be prepared in this way owing to the use of an electrolyte containing a convenient masking agent (TRIEN). The reaction time (10 to 20 mn) allows an easy control of the fabrication. A co-deposit of copper is observed. The collection grid is also electrodeposited, following an original process. Cells of 2 cm², having 7% efficiency were realized. The analysis of the junction by C⁻² -V plots shows that there is no significative migration of the copper during the electrodeposition. The compensated region after heat treatment seems to be less disturbed by the texture effect than for cells obtained by ion exchange.