Luminescent Properties of Cadmium Sulfoselenide Electrodes Prepared by Ion Implantation

Abstract

Inhomogeneous samples of n‐type have been prepared by implantation of Se+ ions into single‐crystal substrates. When thermally annealed, these samples exhibit photoluminescence (PL) and photoelectrochemical properties characteristic of alloy compositions. The spatial profile of Se has been examined by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), electron microprobe analysis, and PL spectra, obtained after successive photoelectrochemical etching treatments. SIMS data indicate the presence of a Se‐containing surface layer, extending ∼0.5 μm into the sample with a peak Se content of about 50%. The PL spectra are dominated by contributions from compositions having up to ∼30% Se content. These samples can be used as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical cells (PEC's) employing aqueous, alkaline, (di) selenide electrolyte. Photoaction spectra are consistent with contributions from alloys of up to ∼35% Se content. The PL intensity of the samples is quenched in passing from open circuit (∼−1.5V vs. SCE) to a potential near short circuit (−1.0V), but the spectral distribution is unaffected. The electroluminescence (EL) of the samples, obtained in aqueous, alkaline, peroxydisulfate electrolyte, is similar to the PL in spectral distribution.