Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell based on chemically deposited nanocrystalline Bi₂Se₃-Sb₂Se₃ composite thin films

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Bi₂Se₃-Sb₂Se₃composite thin films have been deposited by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method onto fluorine duped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate (sheet resistance 70-100 K Ω-m²) from an aqueous alkaline bath (pH = 9.0 ) at room temperature (27^oC).<i> </i>Bismuth nitrate and potassium antimony tartarate are used as Bi³⁺ and Sb³⁺ ion sources, respectively with sodium selenosulphite as Se^2- ion source. Films have been annealed at 175^oC<i> </i>for 4 hr in air. Slight enhancement in crystallinity iss observed after annea ling. These annealed films are used in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell with configuration as n- Bi₂Se₃-Sb₂Se₃/ 0.1 M (NaOH-Na₂S-S) /C. Its performance has been tested and results are reported.