Enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of nanoflower-like hexagonal CdSe0.6Te0.4: Effect of electron beam irradiation

Abstract

Present investigation deals with the effect of electron beam irradiation on the photoelectrochemical properties of cadmium selenium telluride (CdSeTe) thin films. Initially, CdSeTe thin films were electrodeposited on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass and stainless steel substrates. Later, these CdSeTe thin films were irradiated with high energy electron beam (10 MeV) of different doses from 10 to 30 kilograys (kGy). The effect of electron beam irradiation on different physico-chemical properties of CdSeTe thin films such as morphological, structural, optical and photoelectrochemical has been investigated. It is observed that, the electron beam irradiation treatment considerably affects the properties of CdSeTe thin films. The surface morphology of CdSeTe thin films was changed from cauliflowers to nanoflowers, nanoroses and interconnected nanoflakes with doses of electron beams. Furthermore, the effect of electron beam irradiation on photoelectrochemical properties of CdSeTe films was investigated. It is interesting to note that, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of CdSeTe thin films are extensively affected by electron beam irradiation. The photoconversion efficiency values of CdSeTe films for different doses of electron beam are found to be 0.9%, 1.1%, 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively.