Effects of copper concentration on electro-optical and structural properties of chemically deposited nanosized (Zn–Cd)S:Cu films

Nanocrystalline (Zn–Cd)S films have been co-deposited on glass slide substrates by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique at 70 °C for 75 min. Electroluminescent (EL), photoluminescent (PL) and structural characteristics of these films doped with Cu have been investigated. Cu doping has significant effects on the growth, structural and optical properties of the deposited (Zn–Cd)S films. EL studies show the essentiality of copper for EL emission. The effect of Cu concentration is examined on XRD, SEM, UV–vis spectroscopy, etc. The morphology of these films investigated with SEM and XRD is used to determine crystalline nature of the films. The optical absorption coefficient of the films has been found to increase with increase in Cu concentration. Voltage and frequency dependence shows the effectiveness of acceleration–collision mechanism. The trap-depth values are calculated from temperature dependence of EL brightness.