Effects of Chloride Doping on Optical Absorption in Spray-Pyrolyzed CdS Thin Films

Authors

  • Abraham Ifeanyi Mgbebu
    Ebonyi State University image/svg+xml
  • Friday Ukpai Nweke
    Ebonyi State University image/svg+xml
  • Ikechukwu Christian Nworie
    David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu
    International Institute for Machine Learning, Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Research, (DUFUHS) Ebonyi State, Nigeria
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4902-7103
  • Collins Ogochukwu Nwuzor
    David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences Uburu image/svg+xml
  • Margareth Ngozi Ede
    Enugu State College of Education (Technical)

Keywords:

Cadmium films, Chloride impurities, Absorption edge, Spray pyrolysis

Abstract

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin films, vital window layers in optoelectronic devices like solar cells, face performance challenges from chloride impurities introduced via common spray pyrolysis precursors. This study investigates these impurities' effects on absorption properties by depositing undoped and chloride-doped CdS films on glass substrates at 303 K, 333 K, and 363 K using cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and thiourea precursors. UV-Vis spectrophotometry revealed chloride-doped films exhibiting peak UV absorbance of 1.96 at 303 K surpassing undoped films' maximum of 1.90 at 333 K with progressive decrease across wavelengths (285-500 nm), indicating defect-mediated enhancements. SEM analysis confirmed superior compact, crack-free morphologies with uniform grains and reduced pinholes in 363 K doped films versus undoped counterparts. These findings demonstrate controlled chloride doping maximizes absorption and microstructural integrity, providing key insights for impurity-tailored deposition to elevate photovoltaic efficiency.

Author Biographies

Abraham Ifeanyi Mgbebu

Department of Industrial Physics

Friday Ukpai Nweke

Department of Industrial Physics

Ikechukwu Christian Nworie

Department of Medical and Industrial Physics, David Umahi Federal University of Health Science (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi, Nigeria

Collins Ogochukwu Nwuzor

Department of Industrial and Medical Physics

Margareth Ngozi Ede

Department of Physics

Dimensions

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Published

2026-04-07

How to Cite

Mgbebu, A. I., Nweke, F. U., Nworie, I. C., Nwuzor, C. O., & Ede, M. N. (2026). Effects of Chloride Doping on Optical Absorption in Spray-Pyrolyzed CdS Thin Films. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 35(1), 301-304. https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v35i1.2026.492

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2026): Nigerian Journal of Physics - Vol. 35 No. 1

Section

Articles
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

Mgbebu, A. I., Nweke, F. U., Nworie, I. C., Nwuzor, C. O., & Ede, M. N. (2026). Effects of Chloride Doping on Optical Absorption in Spray-Pyrolyzed CdS Thin Films. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 35(1), 301-304. https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v35i1.2026.492

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