Abstract:
Cuprous oxide thin films were electrodeposited in a cupric acetate bath and resulting films
were investigated in a photo-electrochemical cell to determine the intrinsic defects density
variations. It was observed that by controlling the pH value of the deposition bath, density
of both Cu and O vacancies which are responsible for acceptor and donor levels
respectively, can be controlled and thereby it is possible to electrodeposit either n-type or
p-type cuprous oxide thin films. The study reveals that not only the pH value but also the
cupric ion concentration of the acetate bath determines the nature of conductivity of the
films. Structural and morphological studies revealed that nano-crystalline films of size,
100 nm, can be electrodeposited by controlling the deposition parameters. These films will
be very useful in applications of solar energy converting devices
