Cadmium sulphide (CdS) films offer a wide range of applications in solar cells, sensors, IR detectors and as an electrode in photo electrochemical storage devices. In present investigation, cadmium sulphide was synthesized by chemical co-precipitation route and thick films were deposited on microscopic glass substrate by simple and economical screen-printing method followed by sintering process. The structural, morphological, elemental, optical and electrical properties of the prepared films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), UV-visible spectroscopy and DC electrical resistivity measurement. XRD studies revealed the polycrystalline nature of films, having hexagonal structure with preferential orientation of grains along (002) plane for powder and (101) plane for CdS film. The FE-SEM image indicates that the film bears compact surface morphology with nearly spherical clusters. The EDAX analysis confirms the presence of Cd and S elements in prepared films with Cd/S ratio is 0.74. The optical properties of the films were investigated through absorbance and transmittance measurement. The films were found to have a direct energy band gap of around 2.34 eV. The DC electrical resistivity of films was measured by two probe technique and was found to be of the order of 105 Ωcm. All these properties indicate the suitability of these films for device applications.
Keywords: Cadmium Sulphide (CdS); Screen-Printing; Spectral Studies;