Synthesis, characterization and performance of Cd1−xInxTe compound for solar cell applications

Cd1−xInxTe (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) samples have been synthesized chemically using wet chemical method from precursor compounds, CdSO4, InCl3, and TeCl4. The hydroxide form of the solution mixture was obtained by using ammonia solution and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to 9. A suitable amount of NaBH4 solution was added to reduce the hydroxide phase to the metalloid alloy. The crystal structure has been studied using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. The 300 °C annealed samples revealed a cubic crystal structure. The morphology of the prepared samples is very fine and the average diameter is between 1 and 2.5 μm. The optical properties were determined using UV–vis–NIR spectrophotometer and band gap energy of 1.37 eV for Cd0.6In0.4Te was obtained. The best photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 1.89% was obtained for the Cd0.6In0.4Te sample with a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 15.3 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.668 V, and a filling factor (FF) of 69.31%.

► Cd1−xInxTe samples were synthesized by wet chemical method using NaBH4 for reduction.
► The band gap energy was achieved to be 1.37 eV with Cd0.6In0.4Te.
► The highest photovoltaic response was achieved by a power conversion efficiency of 1.89% with Cd0.6In0.4Te.