Influence of pulse reversal on the PEC performance of pulse-plated CdSe films

This paper embodies the first report on the pulse reversal deposition of CdSe thin films. The as-deposited and heat-treated films were characterised by XRD, optical absorption spectroscopy and electrical properties. The polycrystalline deposits of CdSe obtained indicated a hexagonal structure after heat treatment at 550°C. From the optical absorption measurements the band gap was found to be 1.71 eV. At an illumination of 70 mW cm−2 conversion efficiencies of 3.20% and 6.57% were obtained for the photoelectrodes without and with pulse reversal.