Preparation of zinc-sulfide thin films in the presence of sodium tartrate as a complexing agent
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PREPARATION OF ZINC-SULFIDE THIN FILMS IN THE PRESENCE OF SODIUM TARTRATE AS A COMPLEXING AGENT K. Anuar,1 Z. Zainal,1 N. Saravanan,2 and N. Asikin 1 Efforts have been made in finding new materials for solar energy conversion. Two important factors that should be considered in producing these materials are the band-gap energy matching solar spectrum and the competitiveness of the production cost [1]. Metal chalcogenides and their mixtures are attractive and useful systems for solar energy conversion studies by photoelectrochemical means [2 – 11]. These compounds are also used as sensor and laser materials, thin films polarizers, and thermoelectric cooling materials. Thin-film technologies are developed as means of substantial reduction of the cost of photovoltaic (PV) or photoelectrochemical systems. The rationale for this is that thin-film modules are expected to be cheaper to manufacture owing to their reduced material costs, energy costs, handling costs, and capital costs [12]. The reduction of cost for the thin-film cells is achieved by minimization of the amount of material used, the possibility of inexpensive materials, processing methods, and the use of inexpensive mounting arrays [13]. Electrodeposition is a promising competitor in thin-film preparation because of several advantages, such as the possibility for large-scale production, minimum waste of components ,and easy monitoring of the deposition process. The use of additives in aqueous electroplating method is extremely important. The potential benefits of additives include: brightening the deposit, increasing the grain size, changing mechanical and physical properties, reducing stress, reducing pitting, and increasing the lifetime of deposition bath [14]. Experimental Electrodeposition was performed in a conventional three-electrode cell. Ag / AgCl was used as the reference electrode to which all potentials were referred. The working and counter electrodes were made of titanium (Ti, 99.99%) and platinum, respectively. The Ti substrates and counter electrode were polished and cleaned with distilled water prior to the deposition process. An EG&G Princeton Applied-Research Potentiostat (Versastat model) driven by the Electrochemical-Analysis-System software (model 270) was used to control the electrodeposition process and to monitor the current and voltage profiles. The electrolytes were prepared by using analytical-grade reagents and deionized water. Sodium tartrate was used to chelate with Zn2 + to obtain a Zn-tartrate complex. Nitrogen gas was flowed into the solutions prior to mixing to remove any dissolved O2 . Hydrochloric acid was added to prevent the formation of hydroxyl species and insoluble compounds. The depositions were carried out at room temperature by varying the deposition potential to determine the optimal conditions of deposition of zinc-sulfide thin films. 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. 2 Department of Bioscience and Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Scienc
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