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Characterization of CuInS2 thin films prepared by one-step electrodeposition

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Abstract

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 Na3C3H5O(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 sulfur vapor, chalcopyrite CuInS2 thin films were obtained. Etching the films in KCN solution was found to be a key step, 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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support received from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT, PICT 2634), and Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP). We are also grateful to PhD Mariela Desimone for her assistance with XRD and Raman measurements and Eng. Sheila Omar for her assistance with the profilometer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Electroquímica y Corrosión, INTEMA, CONICET, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, B7608FDQ, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Y. Di Iorio, M. Berruet & M. Vázquez

  2. Laboratório de Superfícies e Interfases, Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, 81531-990, Brazil

    W. Schreiner

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  1. Y. Di Iorio
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  4. M. Vázquez
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Correspondence to M. Vázquez.

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Di Iorio, Y., Berruet, M., Schreiner, W. et al. Characterization of CuInS2 thin films prepared by one-step electrodeposition. J Appl Electrochem 44, 1279–1287 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-014-0752-5

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