Size-quantized CdS films in thin film CuInS2 solar cells

Abstract
Semiconductor quantum dots and wires are the subject of great interest, mainly due to their size-dependent electronic structures, in particular increased band gap and therefore optoelectronic properties. We have electrodeposited films of size-quantized CdS (∼4 to 5 nm cross section by 15 nm height) as a buffer layer on CuInS2. The resulting CuInS2/CdS thin-film solar cells gave increased photocurrents and higher light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies (>11%) than those made with conventional nonquantized CdS films. This was due mainly to the increased band gap of the quantized CdS, allowing more light to reach the active CuInS2 layer.