Research on Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on CdSe, CdSe1-xTex and Other Photoelectrode Materials

Research on electrochemical photovoltaic cells incorporating thin film n-CdSe and n-CdSe1-xTex photoanodes has resulted in efficiencies up to 7.5% using small area electrodes in polysulfide electrolytes. Efficiencies close to 10% can be achieved using alternate electrolytes in significantly less stable systems. The major limitations on the efficiency of II-VI photoelectrochemical cells areassociated with the open circuit voltage and the fill factor. Research on CuInSe2 electrochemical photovoltaic cells has resulted in efficiencies up to 11.7% using single crystal n-CulnSe2 photoanodes in aqueous electrolytes. The n-CuInSe2 surface and the electrolyte have been optimized to produce a highly stable semiconductor/electrolyte junction. A review will also be given on the status ofphotoelectrochemical storage cell research. In situ photoelectrochemical measurement techniques have been used to probe the semiconductor/electrolyte interface and have been used to support the characterization of semiconductor materials for solid state photovoltaic applications.