Heliyon (Jul 2021)
The effects of some components on the electrodeposition process used for solar cell applications
Abstract
The study has described through the extrapolation method the roles of those precursors' ions as main substances accompanying the progress of electroplating processes that have been used mainly in the deposition of semiconductor thin film and in the fabrication of solar cells. The role of some materials as primary salts have been compared to each other according to their structures, and through the extrapolation method the atomic structures of the metals included in those salts have been reviewed in 3D forms, investigated and compared. The nuances, on the other hand, cannot be denied. However, the study has reached a plausible point of comparison to substantiate the pieces of evidence of these ions’ role in the aqueous solitons. Definitely, the aim is to build up the ultimate steps to finally disclose the essential role of some inorganic or organic compounds in the deposition solution, claiming a step ahead for particular purposes about some elements in the periodic table. Basically, the study cannot rebuke that the available data play an innate part in this study and the next investigating steps in the future. This attempt has somehow illustrated the role of sulfate, nitrate and chloride as accompanying ions in the major salts that have been used to get the desired results in solar cells fabrications. Also, the study has confirmed the basics of mechanisms in which those ions could be compared to each other. For instance, sulfate, nitrate and chloride ions can compare the final results of some metals electrodeposition according to the positions of those metals in the periodic table when fabricating the solar cells. The thickness or the atomic composition of Cu and Zn deposits can be increased at considerably higher voltages starting from IB to IIB columns, whilst for Ga and In deposits, they can be increased starting from the top to the bottom of IIIA column.
