Surface Morphology and Optical Studies of Non-aqueous Bi2S3 Thin Films

Abstract

A high purity, amorphous Bi2S3 thin film composed of loosely packed nanometer-sized spherical grains has been successfully deposited onto ITO substrate at room temperature from non-aqueous bismuth nitrate and sodium thiosulphate solution using a simple, inexpensive, reproducible, and environmentally friendly chemical route method. Film was characterized for structural, surface morphological, optical properties by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-vis spectrometer, respectively. In last section, Bi2S3 film on ITO substrate was utilized in photo-electrochemical (PEC) solar cell as a working and platinum as a reference electrode in presence of 80 mW/cm2 light intensity in lithium iodide as an electrolyte. Film of non-aqueous Bi2S3 exhibits two separate direct band transitions. Existence of two separate direct transitions was firstly noted in Bi2S3 thin films and explained its possible causes. PEC analysis confirms n-type conductivity.

Keywords

• Chemically modified electrode
• Glutamic acid
• Hydroquinone
• Catechol
• Electrochemical determination