Improved efficiency of n-CdSe thin-film photoelectrodes by zinc surface treatment

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Abstract
The open circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency of n‐CdSe thin‐film electrodes for photoelectrochemical solar cells have been improved by treating the surface with Zn++ ions. The overall efficiency of these electrodes was increased from ∼5% to as high as 6.5% with a soaking treatment in 1 M ZnC12. Photoelectrochemical measurement and Auger spectroscopy indicated the observed improvements were the result of a shift in the flat‐band potential to more negative values due to the incorporation of zinc into the surface region of the CdSe thin film.