Electrochemical synthesis, cathodoluminescence, and optical absorption of CdS and Cd1–хZnхS (0 < x ≤ 0.017) films

Abstract

Using electrochemical deposition from an aqueous solution of Na₂S₂O₃ and CdSO₄, with a cadmium anode, we have grown CdS films on tin dioxide substrates (cathode). The CdS films have been shown to be polycrystalline, with the wurtzite structure. From the optical absorption and cathodoluminescence spectra of the films, we have determined their band gap at 298 and 78 K. With a zinc anode, we obtained polycrystalline Cd_1–хZn_хS (0 < x ≤ 0.017) films with the wurtzite structure. The Cd_0.983Zn_0.017S films have a larger band gap and higher luminescence intensity than do the CdS films.