Photoelectrochemical solar cells: Interpretation of cell performance using electrochemical determination of photoelectrode properties

Electrodes of n-CdSe_0.65Te_0.35 were prepared either by electroplating or by pasting of a slurry of the semiconductor. Analyses of spectral response measurements indicate that the high quantum efficiencies we obtained are probably due to the rather low doping of about 10¹⁵ cm^-3. Diffusion lengths were found to be 0.1-0.5 μm, a result that is reflected in the moderate open-circuit voltages and fill factors obtained. Scanning electron microscopy shows very different morphologies for electrodes prepared by the two methods, but they showed similar efficiencies and electronic properties.