CdS/FTO thin film electrodes deposited by chemical bath deposition and by electrochemical deposition: A comparative assessment of photo-electrochemical characteristics
CdS thin films have been deposited onto FTO/glass substrates by two different techniques, electrochemical
deposition (ECD) and chemical bath deposition (CBD). Feasibility of using these two film types
in photoelectrochemical processes has been critically investigated here. The films were comparatively
characterized by a number of techniques (solid state absorption spectra, solid state photoluminescence
spectra, XRD and SEM). PEC characteristics of the electrodes, including current densityevoltage (JeV)
plots, conversion efficiency (h), stability and fill-factor (FF) were then studied. The results show that
both systems involved nano-sized CdS particles living in coagulates. The ECD was thinner and more
uniform than the CBD system. The CBD films were more effective in PEC processes than the ECD
counterparts. Effect of annealing on characteristics of both electrode systems has been investigated.
Annealing enhanced both film characteristics, but the CBD was affected to a higher extent, and the
annealed CBD film was more effective than the ECD counterpart.
2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.