A Study of CuInS2 Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

Thin films of copper indium disulphide (CuInS2) on Ti Substrate were prepared by annealing potentiastatically electrodeposited Cu-In alloy in H2S gas at 5500 C. Films were characteristised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and spectral response in a polysulphide electrolyte. XRD measurements revealed the formation of the polysrystaline CuInS2 thin films and the abscence of any other phases. SEM showed the formation of crystallites having the size about 0.2 ?m. Variations of spectral response, open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current (Isc) with annealing in air have been studied. As deposited CuInS2 films exhibit a direct band gap of 1.5 eV, and shows n-type behaviour when used in a Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. Heat treatment shows a considerable enhancement of the photoresponse.