Photovoltaic cells based on pulsed electrochemically deposited SnS and photochemically deposited US and Cd1-xZnxS

CdS/SnS and Cd1-xZnxS/SnS solar cells were fabricated. SnS films were deposited by the pulsed electrochemical deposition method using an aqueous solution containing SnSO4 and Na2S2O3. US and Cd1-xZnxS window layers were deposited by using the photochemical deposition method using an aqueous solution containing CdSO4, ZnSO4 and Na2S2O3. Both the techniques were simple, economical and advantageous for fabricating cheap solar cells. The fabricated cells showed rectification characteristics. The photovoltaic properties were measured under AM 1.5 illumination. The cells with the Cd1-xZnxS window layer show larger photocurrent than those with the US window layer. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.