Physical properties of Ag-doped cadmium telluride thin films fabricated by closed-space sublimation technique

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin films were prepared by the closed-space sublimation (CSS) technique, using CdTe powder as evaporant onto substrates of water-white glass. In the next step, the annealed films at 450 °C for 30 min were dipped in AgNO3–H2O solution at room temperature. These films were again annealed at 450 °C for 1 h to obtain silver-doped samples. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrically i.e. DC electrical resistivity as well as photo resistivity by van der Pauw method at room temperature, dark conductivity, activation energy analysis as a function of temperature by two-probe method under vacuum, and spectrophotometry. The electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA) results showed an increase of Ag content composition in the samples by increasing the immersion time of films in solution. The Hall measurements indicated the increase in mobility and carrier concentrations of CdTe films by doping of Ag. A significant change in the shape and size of the CdTe grains were observed.